180 DICOTYLEDONS POLYGONACE^E. 



sap of which the beet-root is full. The root is chopped fine, and 

 pressed, and the juice is then allowed to evaporate. The sugar 

 remains, and is then made into loaves to be sold. 



FAMILY POLYGONACE^J. 



The Sorrel } the Dock, the Snake-weed, the Rhubarb, and the 

 Buckwheat belong to the family Polygonacece. The fruit is dry 

 like a grain of corn, but it has three sharp edges, and three sides. 

 The flowers of the polygonacese are not generally more brilliant 

 than those of the two preceding families. The flower of the 

 buckwheat, however, is an exception ; it is white, and has six 

 divisions and six stamens. It is easy to perceive at the first 

 glance that the buckwheat has no resem- 

 blance to common wheat ; the first is a 

 dicotyledonous plant, and the second has 

 leaves without transverse veins, and 

 belongs to the monocotyledons. Buck- 

 Fruit and Flower -of wheat is only grown in England in small 



Buckwheat. .... /. , f -, -, 1 



quantities as food lor deer and game ; but 



its seed yields a brown flower which is used in some countries for 

 making bread and pancakes, &c. 



The Rhubarb, which is used as a medicine, is the root of a plant 

 of this family which grows in Asia. The large-leaved rhubarb 

 which is grown in vegetable gardens, and the stalks of which are 

 used for pies, puddings, &c., is an allied, but perfectly distinct 

 plant. 



