CLASSES AND ORDERS. 139 



10. Atnent, or catkin, is an assemblage of flowers composed 

 of scales and stamens, arranged along a common thread-like 

 receptacle ; as in the Chesnut and Willow. 



11. Xpadix is an assemblage of flowers, growing upon a 

 common receptacle, and surrounded by a spatha, or sheath ; 

 as in the Egyptian Lily. 



CLASSES AND ORDERS. 



THE explanations of these must necessarily be very brief; 

 my aim being rather to stimulate curiosity respecting the sub- 

 ject of Floral Botany, than to impart instruction in the sci- 

 ence. A few general facts, and a few of the first terms, are 

 all that can be given. 



Flowers in the Linnsean system are divided into twenty-four 

 Classes. These Classes are divided into Orders. Orders into 

 Genera ; Genera into Species; Species are frequently changed 

 into Varieties. 



The first ten classes are distinguished by the number of 

 their stamens ; thus, 



1. Monandria, 1 stamen ; Flowering Reed is the only one 



of this class given. 



2. Diandria, 2 stamens ; Lilac, Sage, Jasmine, etc. 



3. Triandria, 3 stamens ; Crocus, Iris, Oat, etc. 



4. Tetandria, 4 stamens ; Witch-Hazel, Holly, etc. 



5. Pentandria, 5 stamens; Violet, Flax, Woodbine, etc, 



6. Hexandria, 6 stamens; Lily, Sorrel, Aloe, etc. 



7. Heplandria, 7 stamens ; Horse-chesnut, etc. None of 



this class given. 



8. Octandria, 8 stamens; Nasturtion, etc. 



9. Eneandria, 9 stamens ; Laurel f etc. 



