122 



SECTION II. 



EXPLANATION OF THE CLASSES AND ORDERS. 



1. The Artificial System of Linnaeus, or " Liniuean 

 System," as it is usually called, we have already said, 

 is a simple arrangement of all vegetable productions 

 into twenty-four classes, according to some peculiar 

 character as regards the stamen. 



Linnaeus did not offer this arrangement as a natural system, never- 

 theless, its classes very frequently bring together many genera of 

 plants, very similar in their natural resemblance, many of which 

 \ve shall mention in the notes to the primary character of each class. 



2. The classes, it must be attentively remembered, 

 are founded on six circumstances; viz. the number, 

 the insertion, the proportion, the union, the separation, 

 and the concealment of tlie stamens. 



We shall avail ourselves of the advantage of treating of the classes 

 according to these separate divisions. 



CLASSES DERIVED FROM THE NUMBER OF STAMENS. 



.3 The first ten classes are established on this prin- 

 ciple. The plants which belong to them must produce 

 simple perfect flowers, the stamens of which are gene- 

 rally separate. 



CLASS I. MONANDRIA. 



4. Cluiracter : The class monandria consists of such 

 plants, as bear flowers furnished with but one stamen. 

 (F.174.) 



