CLASS ENNEANDRIA. 227 



expect from its eight stamens, but consistsiof five petals. The 

 fruit consists of three seeds ; these are used for pickles. " The 

 generic name (Tropoeolum), signifies a trophy plant; this al- 

 ludes to its use for decorating bowers, and the resemblance of 

 its peltate leaves to shields, as well as of its flowers to golden 

 helmets, pierced through and stained with blood."* 



The Second Order of the 8th class has few plants of im- 

 portance. 



The Third Order contains the Buckwheat (Polygonum), 

 which is classed in the same natural order as the dock, pig- 

 weed, &c. " having flowers destitute of beauty and gay colour- 

 ing." The genus is extensive, containing many plants which 

 are considered as common weeds ; the species, fagopyrum, is 

 the true Buckwheat, the use of which as an article Of food, is 

 too well known to need a remark. This plant is variable in 

 its number of stamens ; the fruit is one angular seed. 



In the Fourth Order of this class is a very rare plant called 

 Paris. It is said to have been named after Paris, a prince of 

 ancient Troy, who was remarkable for his beauty. In every 

 part of the flower there is the most perfect regularity ; the 

 numbers four and eight prevailing in every division. It has 8 

 stamens, 4 pistils, 4 petals, a 4 leaved calyx, a 4 sided and 4 

 celled pericarp, which contains 8 seeds, and 4 large spreading 

 leaves, at a little distance below the flower. The colour of the 

 whole is green. 



CLASS IX. ENNEANDRIA. 



Monogynia. 



Fig. 113. This is also a very small class. In 



the First Order we find the genus lau- 

 rus, which includes the cinnamon, bay, 

 sassafras, camphor, spice bush, &c. 

 The bay (laurus nobilis), is a native of 

 Italy ; the Romans considered it a fa- 

 vourite of the Muses. The emperor 

 Tiberius wore it not only as a trium. 

 phal crown, but as a protector against 

 thunder ; as it was thought that Jupiter 

 had a particular regard for the plant. 

 The laurel as well as the olive was 

 considered as an emblem of peace ; it 

 was sometimes called laurus pacifera, the peace-making laurel, 



* Sir J. E. Smith. 



Second Order Third Order Fourth Order Class Enneandria Different 

 species of the genus Laurus, as the bay, camphor, cinnamon, sassafras, &c. 



