154 
CLASS HEXANDRIA. 
Order Polygyrda. 
The thirteenth order, containing plants with more than ten pistils, 
occurs next to the fifth ; there being no plants in the class Pentan- i 
dria with six, seven, eight, or nine pistils. The yellow root {ZaU' 
tlioriza) is a native of the Southern States. It has 5 stamens, 13 i 
pistils, no calyx, 5 petals, 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 i 
you practical botanists by introducing to your observation a few in- | 
teresting plants ; — this can only be done by gathering flowers, and J 
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 Uttle instruction. Sciences maj , 
be unfolded, every facility which books and teaching can give, may 
oe placed before the youthful mind ; but that mind must itself be ac 1 
tive, or the germs of knowledge will no more take root and expan(? I 
than the seeds of plants would vegetate if thrown upon the bare sui I 
face of a granite rock. | 
LECTURE XXVII. 
CLASS HEXANDRIA, CLASS HEPTANDRIA. 
CLASS VL — HEXANDRIA. 
Of all the artificial 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 endogenous stems ; 
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. 
Liliaceous plants, or the family of the Liliacece. 
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 lihaceous 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 stamens 
are opposite the divisions of the corolla. The germ is triangular, 3* 
celled, superior. The root is bulbous. The leaves have parallel 
veins. 
Zanlhoriza— Remarks on closing the examination of the class Pentandria— 
^lass Hexandria— Natural characters which distmguish plants of tiiis class—Gener 
al remarks upon tiie Liliuccai. 
