LINN-ffiAN ARRANGEMENT. 33 



genus, the hyena genus, the cat genus, and others, constitute the 

 order Ferse, or Beasts of Prey. All the orders that resemble each 

 other in certain more general characters, constitute a class. Thus 

 the orders Ferae, Ruminating animals, Four-handed animals or 

 Monkeys, and others, form the class Mammalia. So it is with 

 plants. 



There are thus four degrees in classification : the Class, the 

 Order, the Genus, and the Species. The latter, by certain acci- 

 dental causes, produces Varieties. Thus, in animals, the grey- 

 hound/the spaniel, and the sheep-dog, are varieties of the Dog 

 species*; and in plants, the numerous kinds of apples are produced 

 by varieties of the Crab-Apple Tree. 



The LINN..EAN CLASSES of PLANTS are twenty-four, and their 

 distinctions are founded upon the number, situation, and propor- 

 tion of the stamens. 



The first eleven Classes are characterized solely by the number 

 of the stamens, and have Greek names expressive of these distinc- 

 tions. Linnaeus, in his fanciful way, considered the stamens as 

 gentlemen, and fhe pistils as ladies. 



1. MONA'NDRIA. This class includes all plants having a 



single stamen in each of their flowers ; 

 raonandria literally signifying one 

 man. 



2. DIA'NDRIA. Two stamens in each flower. 



3. TRIA'NDRIA. Three stamens. 



4. TETRA'NDIA. Four stamens. 



5. PENTA'NDRIA. Five stamens. 



6. HEXA'NDRTA. Six stamens. 



7. HEPTA'NDRIA. Seven stamens. 



8. OCTATCDRIA. Eight stamens. 



9. ENNEA'NDRIA. Nine stamens. 



10. DECA'NDRIA. Ten stamens. 



11. DODECA'NDRIA. From twelve to nineteen stamens. 



The next two classes differ from each other with respect to the 

 situation of the stamens. 



12. ICOSA'NDRIA. Twenty or more stamens inserted into 



the calyx. 



13. POLYA'NDRIA. Twenty or more stamens inserted into 



the receptacle or top of the flower-stalk. 



