TO BOTANY. 99 



Andropogon, Anthistiria, Apluda, Valantia, Ophi- 

 oxylon, Celtis, Veratrum, Fusanus, Acer, Gouania, 

 Mimosa, Brabeium, Terminalia, Clusia, Hennas, 

 Parietaria, Atriplex, and Aiianthus. 



ORDER II. DIOECIA, comprehending such plants 

 as have the Polygamy on two distinct plants. This 

 order contains ten genera, viz. Panax, Diospyros, 

 Crysitrix, Stilbe, Nyssa, Fraxinus, Anthospermum, 

 Arctopus, Gleditsia*, and Pisonia. 



ORDER III. TRIOECIA, comprehending such 

 plants as have the Polygamy on three distinct 

 plants. This order contains two genera, viz. Ficus f, 

 and Ceratonia. 



* In Gleditsia, the hermaphrodites and males are on the 

 same plant, and the females on a distihct one. 



f To understand tais order, the singular manner of the 

 fructification of the Ficus must be explained. The fruit of 

 the Ficus is not a pericarpium, but a receptacle, the interior 

 sides of which support the flowers, which by this means are 

 inclosed within it. These flowers in the cultivated fig-trees 

 are female only ; but there is a sort known by the name of 

 Caprificus, that has male flowers ; and another again called 

 Erinosyce, which is androgynous, having both male and fe- 

 male flowers distinct, though lodged within the same recep. 

 tacle. Here then we have the Tnoectous polygamy explain, 

 ed ; and if the descriptions of Dr la Hire may be trusted, 

 there are figs that contain hermaphrodite flowers, which gives 

 us even a fourth habitation for the sexes. Thus much suffices 

 to explain this order ; but there is an objection naturally aris- 

 ing from hence to the doctrine of the sexes, the obviaring of 

 which will furnish the opportunity of a necessary remark. It 

 will be asked, how it happens, that the fruit of our fig-trees 

 ripen, if the plants are of one sex only, and have no assistance 

 from the male ? The answer is this: the fruit is, in all cases, 

 to be distinguished from the seed contained within it ; if the 

 male be wanting, the seed will not vegetate when sown, but 

 the fruit may nevertheless swell, and come to an appearance 

 of perfection ; and so it is observed to do in the instance in 

 question, and in many others, especially where the fruit, is 

 formed of one of theparts less connected with the seed; as calyy, 

 receptacle, &c. though it is more common for it to drop off 

 before it ripens, if not impregnated by the male. 



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