CLASS ENNEAISfDRLA . 155 



CLASS IX. ENNEANDRIA, NINE STAMENS 



213. In the Order M^ttogynia we find 

 tie genus Laurus^ whicli includes the 

 cinnamon, bay, sassafras, camphor, spice- 

 bush, &c., all of the natural cider Lau- 

 racecB ; the stamens are usually arranged 

 in two rows ; the three of the inner row 

 being often sterile and extrorse, while the 

 six in the outer row are fertile and in- 

 trorse. 



a. The bay {Laurus nobilis) is a native of Italy ; the 

 Romans considered it a favorite of the Muses, and tho 

 Emperor Tiberius wore it, not only as a triumphal 

 crown, but as a protection against thunder, it being 

 thought that Jupiter kid a particular regard for it 

 Th^ kurel, as well as the olive, was considered as au emblem of peace; it was 

 sometimes called laurus pacifera, the peace-bearing laurel. Brunches of laurel 

 carried among contending armies, were considered as a signal for the cessation 

 of arms. The victors in the Olympic games were crowned with wreaths of 

 laurel. Poets crowned with it were called laureates. Camphor is the prod- 

 uce of the Laurus camphora, a large tree which grows in Japan. The Laurus 

 cinnamomu7n grows to the hight of 1;hirty feet ; it sends out numerous branches 

 crowned with a smooth bark. The leaves are bright green, standing in oppo- 

 site pairs. The petals are six, of a gfeenish-white color. The fruit is a pulpy 

 pericarp inclosing a nut. This tree is a native of Ceylon, where it grows very 

 common in woods and hedges. The imported cinnamon is the inner bark {liber) of 

 the tree ; it is remarkable that the leaves, fruit, and root, all yield oil of very dif- 

 ferent qualities. That produced from the leaves is called the o«7 o/" c/o?;cs ; that 

 obtained from the fruit is of a thick consistence, very fragrant, and is made into 

 candles for the use of the king ; the bark of the roots affords an aromatic oil, called, 

 the oil of camphor. The Sassafras-tree (Laurus sassafras) is a native American 

 plant ; when first introduced into Europe it sold for a great price, the oil being 

 highly valued for medicinal uses. It grows on the borders of streams and in 

 woods ; it is often no larger than a shrub ; its flowers are yellow ; its fruit, blue 

 berries. The Laurus henzoii^, called spice-bush, has scarlet berries, and is an aro- 

 matic plant. 



Fig. 140, f<r,^' represents a flower of the Butomas {floweHng 

 rush) ; petals six, ovate. The umhellatus is the only species 

 known in England ; the flowers are in rose-colored umbels. It is 

 found in wet grounds, and near the margin of lakes and ponds. 

 In the north of Europe are found many species ; they are 

 aquatic, umbellate plants. The Butomas is the type of a nativ 

 ral order ButomacecB^ not generally admitted. 



214. Order Trigynia presents us with but one genus, the 

 Ehubarb {Rheum). Tlie acid leaves of the Rheum tartaricum 

 are used for pies. This plant is a native of Tartary; it is 

 now common in our gardens. The V\;. palmaticm produces the 



• See also Appendix, Plate viii.. Fig. 4. 



213. Class Enneandria — Different species of the genus Laurus — Lauracea: — .?. Describe tlie different 

 Bjiecies of Laurua — Butomas. — 214. Order Trigynia. 



