DKECIA. 209 



of this tree are large, and covered with an abundance of yel- 

 low, glutinous balsam, which sometimes drops on the ground 

 In Canada, these buds are collected, and the balsam obtained 

 by pressure, for medicinal purposes. The Lombardy Pop- 

 lar, (Populus dilatata,) is a native of Italy, and like all othex 

 trees of rapid growth, is short lived. These trees, so far as 

 we know, are all staminate, and it is said that the pistillate 

 plant of this species has not been brought to America, hence 

 no fruit from this tree has been produced. 



ORDER VIII. DECANDRIA. Stamens 10. 

 This contains no interesting or common plant. 



ORDER IX. DODECANDRIA. Stamens 12. 



GENUS Cocculus. This is a small tree, which bears a 

 black berry, in bunches like grapes. This being ground and 

 made into paste with flour, is used to intoxicate fish, and 

 oirds, so that they may be caught. 



ORDER X. ICOSANDRIA. Stamens many, inserted on the 



calyx. 

 It contains nothing important. 



ORDER XI. POLYANDRIA. Stamens many, inserted under 

 the germen. 



This order is also barren of interesting or common native 

 species. 



ORDER XII. MONADELPHIA. Stamens united into one body. 



GENUS Ruscus. Butchers' Broom. This is a genus of 

 small evergreen shrubs, which are curious on account of 

 bearing their flowers and fruit on their 

 leaves, as represented by Fig. 201. Fig. 201. 



The flower, however, does not pro- 

 perly grow out of the leaf, but on a foot 

 stalk of its own, which runs under the 

 outer coat of the leaf, and comes out 

 near its middle. This is ascertained 

 by dissection. The pistillate flowers are 

 succeeded by red berries, nearly the 

 size of cherries, and sweet to the taste. 

 The green shoots of this plant were for- 



What is the definition of the order Icosandria ? What is the definition 

 of the order Poly andria ? What is the definition of the order Monadelphia ? 

 What peculiarity does the ruscus, or butchers' broom exhibit ? 

 18* 



