\U CLASS HEXANDRIA. 



Order Polygyraa, 



The thirteenth order, containing plants with more than ten pistils, 

 occurs next to the fifth ; there being no plants in the class Pentan* 

 dria with six, seven, eight, or nine pistils. The yellow root (Zan" 

 thoriza) is a native of the Southern States. It has 3 stamens, 13 

 pistils, no calyx, 5 petais, 5 nectaries, and 5 capsules ; the flowers 

 are purple, growing in panicles. It is a low shrub, with a yellow 

 root, sometimes used by diers. 



Our explanation of the class Pentandria has necessarily been 

 somewhat tedious, on account of the number and importance of the 

 plants which it contains, few of which, in comparison with the whole 

 we have been able to notice. We do not, however, expect to make 

 you practical botanists by introducing to your observation a few in- 

 teresting plants ; — this can only be done by gathering flowers, and 

 examining them according to those rules of analysis which we have 

 endeavoured to explain in the most simple manner. If you study 

 flowers, you will read about them with pleasure and profit ; if not, 

 remarks upon them will convey little instruction. Sciences maj 

 be unfolded, every facility which books and teaching can give, may 

 be placed before the youthful mind ; but that mind must itself be ao 

 tive, or the germs of knowledge will no more take root and expand 

 than the seeds of plants would vegetate if thrown upon the bare sui 

 face of a granite rock. 



LECTURE XXVII, 



CLASS HEXANDRIA, CLASS HEPTANDRIA. 

 CLASS VL'— HEXANDRIA. 



Of all the airtificial classes, none presents us with so great a num* 

 ber of splendid genera as Hexandria ; most of them are distinguish* 

 ed by bulbous roots, monocotyledonous seeds, and endogenoits stems j 

 the palms and some other plants of this class have fibrous roots in 

 connexion with the last two characters ; these are inseparable, the 

 nature of the stem, or the manner of its growth, depending on the 

 structure of the seed. 



Order Monogynia. 

 Ldliaceous plants, or the family of the LiliacecB. 



The most prominent group of plants in this class and order, is the 

 lily tribe, comprehending not only the genus of the lily, but the tulip, 

 crown-imperial, hyacinth, and many other of our most beautiful ex^ 

 otics, as well as many native plants. The liliaceous flowers have no 

 calyx; the perianth is coloured, and petal-like; it is usually called 

 the corolla. The number of stamens is generally 6, sometimes but 

 3 ; in the latter case the plant is in the class Triandria; the stamena 

 are opposite the divisions of the corolla. The germ is triangular, 3- 

 celled, superior. The root is bulbous. The leaves have parallel 

 veinsw 



Zanlhoriza— Remarks on closing the examination of the class Pentandria— 

 r!lass Hexandria— Natural characters which distinguish plants of this class— Gener 

 al remarks upon the Liliaceae. 



