CLASS ENNEAN'DRIA. 109 



The plants of the ninth class, Enneandria,^ are 

 so few in number, that I think we can go through 

 them to-day ; and I dare say it will give you plea- 

 sure to examine this one, which I have just pro- 

 cured for you. [PLATE 11.] 



EDWARD. 

 How beautiful it is ! I long to find out its name. 



* 



MOTHER. 



That you can easily do ; for there are but three 

 native genera in this class, according to Withering, 

 and only one in the arrangement of Linnaeus. 

 Here, hold the plant in your hand, while I read 

 what Withering says about the genera. 



The first genus described, Mercuria'lis *, is in 

 the order Digynia ; " it has no blossom, and the 

 " flowers with stamens are on different plants from 

 " those with pistils:" we need not read any far- 

 ther, for your plant, having six pistils, is in the 

 order Hexagynia , and it has both stamens and 

 pistils in every flower. 



In the second genus, Bu'tomus, " the calyx, 

 " which is called an Involu'crum, is composed of 

 " three leaves." 



* In the class and order Monoecia Enneandria, of Lin- 

 naeus. 



