CLASS mon(t:cia. 189 



to contain " pure camphor, a resin, a bitter extractive, and a strong 

 ■essential oil." It was used by the Indians as a remedy for the bite of 

 a snake ; from this circumstance is derived its name. This plant in 

 its medicinal properties differs essentially from the Polygala senega, 

 or Seneca snake-root, and the mistaking one for the other, might, in 

 critical stages of disease, be attended with fatal consequences.* 



Order Decandria, 



In the 10th order we find the wild ginger, (Asarum ;) this is a na- 

 tive plant, so low that its flowers are almost concealed in the ground ; 

 the roots are creeping and aromatic, having the taste and sn>ell of 

 the snake-root, (Aristolochia.) 



We have now completed our view of the class Gynandria ; 

 although many species of it are indigenous to this country, you will 

 not so readily procure specimens of this, as of most other native 

 plants. Theladies'-slipper, milk-weed, and dogsbane, you can often 

 find, but many of the plants of this family, particularly the Orchis 

 tribe, opposing all attempts at cultivation, are to be found only in 

 the depths oithe forest, or places little frequented by man ; like 

 the aboriginal inhabitants of America, they seem to prefer their 

 own native wil4s to the refinements and luxuries of civilized life. 



Fig. 147. 



LECTURE XXXVI. 



CLASSES MONtECIA AND DICECIA. 



In all the classes hitherto examined, we have found perfect Jloie- 

 ers. Our present inquiry is to be directed to two classes, in which 

 the flowers are imperfect, or both stamen and pistil are not found in 

 the same individual fower. The stamens are infertile, or disappear 

 without any fruit ; the pistils contain the germ, and being fertilized 

 by the pollen of the infertile flowers, produce the fruit. 



CLASS MONCECIA. 



The class Monoecia (one house) contains 

 plants where, growing from the same root, 

 we find some flowers containing only sta- 

 mens, others only pistils. The orders in this 

 class are determined by the number of sta- 

 mens in each flower. 



Order Monandria. 



In the first order is the Bread-fruit tree, 

 (Artocarpus,) which grows to the height or 

 forty feet, having fruit of the size of a large 

 water-melon, hanging from its boughs like 

 apples ; it is a native of the East Indies ; 

 when roasted it resembles white bread, and 

 is much valued for food. 



This plant belongs to the natural order 

 Urticae, in which are the Fig and Mulberry. 

 * A physician prescribed for a sick child the Seneca snake-root, (Powgala senega ;) 

 the ignorant apothecary sent the Virginia snake-root, (Aristolochia serpentaria.) 

 The physician having fortunately remained to inspect the medicine which he had or- 

 dered, tne mistake was seasonably discovered. This instance shows the importance 

 of botanical knowledge, particularly in those who attempt to deal in medicine. Had 

 the mother of the child understood botany, the mistake would have been discovered 



although the physician had not been present. 



Wild ginger— Concluding remarks— In what respect do the two next classes differ 

 from the preceding ones 7— Class Monoecia— Order Monandria— Bread-fruit. 



