152 



DODECANDRIA. 



be found in practice, that many plants, whose flowers, in 

 other respects, agree with the description of this Class bet- 

 ter than with any other, have from 12 to 19 stamens. It 

 will be remembered, that the stamens of this class must be 

 separate, and riot united by their filaments into one or two 

 sets. 



ORDER I MONOGYNIA. 



Stamens. 12. 

 No plants of consequence belong here. 



Style 1. 



ORDER II. DIGYINIA. Stamens 12. Styles 2. 



GENUS Agrimojiia. Agrimony. Common Agrimony, (Ag- 

 rimonia eupatoria,} rises to the height of two or three feet. 

 Leaves interruptedly pinnate, leaflets oblong ovate, and ser- 

 rate. Spikes of flowers elevated, the flowers scattered and 

 yellow. It is a common plant about fences, and road sides, 

 and was formerly used as a tonic in medicine. 



ORDER III. TRIGYNIA. Stamens 12. Styles 3. 



GENUS Reseda. Name, from the Latin, rcsedo, to calm, or 

 appease, because it was formerly thought a remedy for the 

 pain of a bruise, or wound. This plant is a native of various 

 parts of Europe. The species Luteola is called Dyers' Weed, 

 because it affords a most useful yellow color, Fig. 173. 



and is much employed, especially in France, 

 as a coloring plant. 



The yellow color of the paint called Dutch 

 pink, is obtained from this plant. This Re- 

 seda grows about two feet high, and produ- 

 ces a long spike of flowers without petals. 

 Fig. 173. Reseda odora, which is well 

 known under the name Mignonette, is a spe- 

 cies of this genus. In London this is said to 

 be among the most fashionable odoriferous 

 plants, and to be in great demand for rooms, 

 balconies, &c. It therefore forms an exten- 

 sive article of culture among florists, and 

 market gardeners in the vicinity of that city. 

 The plants for this purpose are transferred to 

 pots, each pot of four inches in diameter containing foui 

 plants. To obtain plants for blowing, from December to 



How many stamens has the class Dodecandria ? In this class are the fila- 

 ments separate or united ? What is fhe botanical name of mignonette ? 



