122 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. | Ch. XX. 



monoseDalous, or has but one leaf, it is divided into two parts, 

 which are reflexed; the corolla has two petals; the germ is 

 below the calyx. This is a very small perennial plant which 

 grows in shady places ; its blossom is white, and remarkable 

 for the symmetry of its parts, having two stamens, two petals, 

 a calyx with two divisions ; a capsule with two cells, each of 

 which contains two seeds. Its common name is Enchanter's 

 night shade ; this plant is common about the shores of the 

 Cumberland lakes *n England, and the Highland glens of Scot- 

 land, as well as ia the United States. 



517. The O/oa, or olive, is said to derive its scientific name 

 from a Latin word signifying oil. This plant is an evergreen 

 tree which grows to Ihe height of twenty or thirty feet ; it is 

 common on the rockj of Palestine, and travellers say it is still 

 found upon the spot called the Mourn of Olives. It is possible 

 that the very tree whicn once aflbr led shade to our Saviour 

 may be still living, since there is '.',! son to believe that there 

 art trees now in existence, of which Pliny, who lived near the 

 lime of Christ, makes mer.tion. 



518. ORDER 2. DIGYNIA; two pistils. To illustrate this or- 

 der Ave shall mention the Anthoxanthum, or sweet-seemed 

 spring-grass; this blossoms in M*ay. and when drying, diffuses 

 the pleasant* and refreshing smell \- 'uliar lo new mown hay. 

 This plant is not classed with the othf.-r grasses, which are most 

 *v in the third class, because it has b i 1 two stamens. 



519. ORDER 3d. TRIGYNIA, three pistils. We here find the 

 g'3ims Piper, the name of which is derived from the Hindoo 

 word pippul. It is a climbing plant which is supported upon 

 poles ; thus the pepper plantations of the East Indies bear a re- 

 semblance to the hop fields of New England. The Piper Ni- 

 grum, or black pepper, is that species which is most used in 

 commerce, and which furnishes the spice daily used upon our 

 tables. Black pepper was known in commerce in the most re- 

 mote ages. The Greeks and Romans obtained it from Asia. 

 It has been introduced into the hot region of America ; where it 

 grows as well as in its native country. 



520. Another species of pepper is the betel; the leaves ot 

 t x is plant are used in the East Indies, to 'enclose slices of a 

 palm nut called the areca nut, thus prepared for the purpose of 

 chewing ; the natives of that country esteem it a great luxury 



517. Describe the Olive. 



518. What plant is described under the 2d order? 



519. What is described under the 3d order 1 



520. Of what genus is the betel nut ? 



