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CLASS 8. OCTANDRIA. 

 (Containing Plants with Eight Stamens.) 



Not an extensive, but an elegant class, holding the beautiful 

 and ever-varied Heaths, of which our island boasts several sorts ; 

 the Bilberry or Whortle Berry, and the Cranberry come next ; 

 the Sycamore and the Maple join them ; as do also the Evening 

 Primrose, with its abundant yellow flowers, 



" In its graceful mild retreat, 

 Growing every hour more sweet; " 



the bright-flowered Yellow-wort, the Mezereon too, that 

 bears its blossoms even in the midst of snows, and the curious 

 four-leaved and green-flowered Herb Paris. Besides numerous 

 others, such as the Indian Cress, commonly, but improperly 

 called Nasturtium, the very curious and beautiful Michauxia, 

 and that universal favorite, the Fuschia these last three are 

 not natives of Britain. 



Order 1. MONOGYNIA. 1 Style. 



HEATH, (Erica.) Calyx of green leaves, without bracts. 

 LING, (Calluna.) Calyx of colored leaves, with green bracts. 

 WILLOW HERB, (Epilobium.) Calyx falling off; petals four; 

 seeds crowned with hairs. 



Order 2. DI-TRIGYNIA. 2 or 3 Styles. 



KNOT-GRASS, (Polygonum.J Calyx none ; corolla five-cleft ; 

 seeds single. 



Order 3. TETRAGYNIA. 4 Styles. 



The plants of this order are Herb Paris and the Adoxa, both not un- 

 common in woody places; and two species of Water- wort, which are very 

 rare and exceedingly minute plants. 



