( 88 ) 
inveftigation to enable us to underftand their 
various parts, and affords mu<bi interefting 
occupation to thofe who take the pains to ftudy 
it. The eight remaining orders of this clafs 
are known by their number of ftamens. The 
ftructure of the parts of fructification in the 
arum is moft extraordinary, and not to be 
found in any other genus. The receptacle 
is enlarged into a naked club, with the germes 
at the bafe. The ftamens are affixed to the 
receptacle, amidft the germes, which is called 
by Linneus a natural prodigy : the moft emi- 
nent botanifts have been perplexed by this lin- 
gular flower. The younger Linneus w r as of 
opinion, that every anther was to be confldered 
as a diftinct floret, and thence that the genus 
ought to be removed from the clafs Gynandria 
to the following one Monoecia, or ft am ens and 
piftils feparate. I cannot pretend to decide 
on this fubjecl, but hope, as this opinion of the 
younger Linneus opens a new principle of 
inveftigation, fome ingenious botanift of the 
prefent age may be able to difcover the fecret 
of the wonderful mode of fructification found 
in this family. An englifh botanift ought 
certainly not to remain ignorant of a plant 
which contributes fo much to the beauty 
of 
