196 CLASS MONANDRIA. 



CLASS I. MONANDRIA. Containing two Orders. 

 Order Monoaynia. 



In this country we have very few 



Fig. 102. 



examples of plants of this class : the 

 Hippuris, an aquatic plant, is some- 

 times found in stagnant water ; it is 

 the most simple of all perfect* flowers, 

 having neither calyx nor corolla, and 

 but 1 stamen, 1 pistil, and 1 seed. 

 The germ in maturing, hardens into a 

 naked seed without any kind of appen- 

 dages. The genus Hippuris contains 

 but one species, the wlgaris. It be- 

 longs to the natural order Inundatse, 

 signifying growing in water. 

 Fig. 102, o, represents the Hippuris ; the stem is erect, and 

 simple ; the leaves are linear, acute, and arranged in whorls. 

 At b, is the flower of the Hippuris, showing an egg-shaped 

 germ ; a short filament crowned with a large anther composed 

 of two lobes ; the style is long and awl-shaped, the stigma is 

 acute and undivided; the germ is crowned by a border which 

 gives the appearance of a calyx. 



The Salicornia or Samphire is found in salt marshes near the 

 sea coast ; it grows also at the Onondaga salt springs. In 

 Europe it is collected in large quantities, dried in the sun and 

 then burnt ; the ashes are collected and used in the manufac- 

 ture of soda. Shakspeare speaks of this plant in describing 

 the precipice of Dover, which overhangs the sea. 



"How fearful, 

 And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low ! 



Half way down, 

 Hangs one that gathers Samphire : dreadful trade !" 



Although the plants of this class are so very limited in north- 

 ern countries, some of the most valuable vegetable productions 

 of the tropical regions are found here ; as the Arrow root, so 

 useful to the sick as a nutritious substance ; the Turmeric, re- 

 markable for the peculiar yellow colour of its bark ; here also is 

 found the Ginger, which grows wild in some parts of Asia, and 

 is cultivated in the East and West Indies. The flowers of the 

 Ginger are beautiful and fragrant ; the root only is used in 

 commerce. The Ginger (Ammomum), belongs to the natural 

 family Scitaminea, which embraces several genera of aromatic 



* Although so destitute of other organs, it is callad perfect because it has 

 stamens and pistils. 



Class Monandria Order Monogynia Hippuris Salicornia. 



