260 CLASS GYNANDRIA. 



like the preceding classes, consequently, the five stamens place 

 it in the order PENTANDRIA. The large thick stigma has the 

 appearance of a germ or pericarp ; but if you pull off the stig- 

 ma, you will discover two pericarps under it, of a different 

 structure from that of the stigma ; perhaps you will never meet 

 with a stigma in any other flower, so large in proportion to its 

 other parts as in the milk-weed. The anthers are pressed 

 close to the side of the stigma by the valves or scales, and the 

 glutinous pollen probably is absorbed by it ; by which means 

 the seed is fertilized, as in cases where the pollen is a dry pow- 

 der. The manner in which either kind of pollen operates upon 

 the stigma, is totally inexplicable ; we know nothing more of 

 the subject, than that no seed is ever perfected without it, in 

 any species of vegetables." 



No farther remarks on the character of this plant could be 

 of use, after the clear and plain description just given ; you will 

 have no difficulty in procuring specimens of this plant for analy- 

 sis ; a variety of species are in flower in June and July. 



The Apocynum or dogsbane, with some other genera which 

 were formerly placed in the 5th class, are now classed here. 

 Hexandria. 



The 6th order contains the Virginia snake-root (ARISTOLO- 

 CHIA serpentaria)fO. perennial plant, with brown fibrous roots ; 

 it is found in shady woods, from New England to Florida : the 

 root is highly valued in medicine ; it possesses an aromatic 

 smell, somewhat similar to spruce. It is said to have been 

 found, by a chemical analysis, to contain "pure camphor, a re- 

 sin, a bitter extractive, and a strong essential oil."* It was 

 used by the Indians as a remedy for 'the bite of a snake ; from 

 this circumstance is derived its name. This plant has medical 

 properties unlike the POLYGALA senega, or Seneca snake-root, 

 and the mistaking one for the other might, in critical stages of 

 disease, be attended with fatal consequences. f 

 Decandria. 



In the 10th Older we find the wild ginger (ASARUM) ; this is 

 a native plant, so low that its flowers are almost concealed in 



* Rafinesque's Medical Flora. 



t A physician prescribed for an infant the Seneca snake-root (POLYGALA 

 senega), as a medicine in a case of extreme sickness ; an ignorant apothecary 

 sent in answer to the prescription, the Virginia snake-root (ARISTOLOCHIA 

 serpentaria). The physician had fortunately remained to inspect the medicine 

 which he had ordered, and the mistake was seasonably discovered ; this in- 

 stance shows the importance of botanical knowledge, particularly in those 

 who attempt to deal in medicine ? had the mother of the child understood 

 botany, the mistake would have been discovered although the physician had 

 not been present. 



Order Hexandria Virginia snake-root Seneca snake-root Wild ginger. 



