266 



Fig. 125. 



CLASS DIGECIA. 



Class Diacia. 



The class Dicecia (two houses), has 

 staminate and pistillate flowers on separate 

 plants. The distinction with regard to 

 the orders, as in the preceding class, is 

 derived from the number of stamens. 



There are no plants of the first order. 



Diandria. 



The 2d Order contains the willow (SALIX), which has long 

 and slender aments, both of staminate and pistillate flowers, 

 the two kinds being on separate trees. 



The order TRIANDRIA contains the fig (Ficus), remarkable 

 for containing the flower within the fruit, which is botanically 

 considered as a juicy receptacle, within which are concealed 

 the minute flowers and seeds. The fig is peculiar to warm 

 countries. 



TETRANDRIA contains a parasite plant, the Misletoe ; but 

 one species is indigenous to this country. The Druids* consid- 

 ered this plant as sacred to the sylvan deities. Tradition re- 

 lates, that, where Druidism prevailed, the houses were decked 

 with this plant, that the sylvan spirits might repair to them. 



The order PENTANDRIA contains the hemp, hop, &c. Fig. 

 125, represents the pistillate and staminate flowers of the hemp 

 (Cannabis sativa) ; at a, is the barren or staminate flower, con- 

 taining five stamens, and having its calyx deeply five parted ; 

 the corolla is wanting. At , is a fertile or pistillate flower 

 with its calyx opening laterally ; c, shows the same flqwer 

 divested of its calyx ; the seed is a nut, which is crowned 

 with two styles. The hemp belongs to a family called Urtices 

 (from Urtica a nettle) ; the fibres of its stems are manufac- 

 tured into cloth, cordage and thread. The hop produces its 

 fertile flowers in large cones formed of membranous, imbrica- 



* The Druids, it is supposed, derived their name from drus, a Greek word 

 signifying oak, as it was in groves of this tree that the priests celebrated their 

 mysterious rites, and sacrificed human victims to their sanguinary deities. 



Claaa Dioecia Willow Misletoe Hemp Hop. 



