180 CLASSIFICATION. 



ceous plants, some other families, among which is the asparagi, 

 from asparagus, one of its most important genera. The family 

 asparagi, is distinguished by monopetalous corollas, divided in- 

 to 6 segments. The fruit is mostly pulpy and contains 3 cells. 

 This family contains the genus Convallaria (lily of the valley), 

 Trillium, <fyc. 



Narcissi. The family Narcissi contains the genus Narcis- 

 sus, Amaryllis, Hypoxis, Pontederia, <Sfc. Their 6 stamens 

 are inserted into the tube of the corolla. Their roots are 

 mostly bulbous. 



Irides. This family is so named from Iris, one of the most 

 important genera. The leaves in this family are alternate, 

 sheathing, and sword-shaped (ensiform). Tfce flowers are 

 often attended by sheaths of two valves. We find here the 

 Ixia and Sysirinchium. 



CLASS 4. 



Stamens cpigynous (above the germ). OBCIIIS PLANTS (Or- 

 chides). This family is distinguished by having, in place of 

 stamens, glutinous masses of pollen, sometimes sessile, and 

 sometimes supported by short filaments. The root has usually 

 two knobs.* In this family are the ORCHIS genus, from which 

 it takes its name ; the genus Cypripedium, or lady's slipper, 

 which takes its name from its large nectary resembling a shoe ; 

 the Cymbidium, or blue eyed grass, &c. 



Dicotyledons. 



The third general division of the vegetable tribes includes 

 the last eleven classes of Jussieu's method. 



CLASS 5. 



Apetalous ; stamens epigynous, (above the germ). The 

 characters of this class are a calyx superior, and of one leaf; 

 corolla wanting. It contains but one family, Aristolochia. 



CLASS 6. 



Apetalous ; stamens perigynous (around the germ). 



We have in this class, the family PROTEJS ; these flowers, 

 being variable in their characteristics, received their name from 

 Proteus, a 'fabulous deity, remarkable for his transformations. 

 We find here the family Lauri, which contains the genus 

 LAURUS. The family Polygonece is chiefly important as con- 

 taining the genus Polygonum ; the name of this genus is deri- 



* See Fig. 90, c. 



Narcissi Irides Characteristics of Class 4th Families most distinguished 

 in this class Third general division Characters of class 5th, &c. Of class 

 6th, &c. 



