SYSTEM. 237 



equitant, and distichous, that, is, overlapping each other in 

 two rows. 



Affinities. The plants of this order differ from the Nar- 

 cissus tribe, in being Triandrous, with the anthers turned out- 

 wards ; from Orchideae, to which they approach very nearly 

 in some respects, in not being Gynandrous, and in all their 

 anthers being distinct. The Iris represents the general char- 

 acter of the order, but a departure from the form of the peri- 

 anthium found in that genus, takes place in the Crocus. 

 The dilated stigma found in the Iris is a characteristic of the 

 whole order ; in the Crocus, it is rolled up, instead of being 

 spread open. 



Geography. Principally natives either of the Cape of Good 

 Hope or of the middle parts of North America, and Europe. 

 A few only are found within the tropics, and the order is 

 generally far from abundant in South America, if compared 

 with the numbers that exist at the Cape. 



Properties. More remarkable for their beautiful fugitive 

 flowers than for their utility. The roots of some of them are 

 slightly stimulating, as the violet-scented orris root, the pro- 

 duce of the Iris Floreritina. The substance called saffron 

 is the dried stigmas of a Crocus, one of the members of the 

 order. In North America, according to the statement of Pro- 

 fessor Torrey, we have twelve species of this order. 



These examples are all which our limits will allow us to 

 give. Meantime we commend to the pupil's attention who 

 desires to pursue this highly interesting subject, Professor 

 Torrey's edition of Lindley's Natural System, recently pub- 

 lished by the Messrs. Carvill, New-York. 



CLASS I. VASCULARES, OR FLOWERING 

 PLANTS. 



SUB-CLASS I. EXOGENES, OR PLANTS WITH TWO COTY- 

 LEDONS. 



leaves reticulated, pith, wood, and bark distinct. Nearly all 

 our trees, shrubs, and larger herbs are of this kind 



TRIBE 1 ANGIOSPERM.E. 

 Seeds enclosed in a pericarp, or capsule. 



1. POLYPETALOUS, APETALOUS, AND AcHLAMYDEOUS 



PLANTS. 

 Polypetalous plants, included here, have a calyx and a 



