r^LASS MONAD ELPKJI. 
175 
LECTURE XXXIII. 
Fig. 140. 
CLASS XV. MONADELPHIA. 
"We are now to considei the broiJier hoods, as the names of the '5th 
and 16th classes signify; Monadelphia, meaning one, and Diadel- 
phia two brotherhoods, in allusion to the manner in which the fila 
ments are connected in one or two sets. The orders in these classes 
tlepend upon the number of stamens. 
In the class Monadelphia, we include all 
such plants as have their filaments united in 
one set, forming a tube at the bottom of the 
corolla ; in this respect, this class differs from 
/ the preceding ones, where the stamens are en- 
tirely separate ; here you will observe that the 
anthers are separate, though the filaments are 
joined. We cannot in this class, as in the two 
preceding ones, point out any prevaihng form 
of the corolla. The mark of distinction here 
is in some cases rather doubtful, the filaments 
being sometimes broad at their base, and yet 
not entirely connected. 
You will recollect, that the orders depend 
upon the number of stamens. We have no 
first order here, for the character of the class is, filaments united^ 
and one filament could not possess this requisite of union. 
Order Triandria. 
This is the first order in this class; the name, you will recollect, is 
the same as that of the third class, signifying three stamens ; but here 
they are united by their filaments, forming a tube. We find in this 
order a handsome plant, called blue-eyed grass, {Sisyrinchhim ;) 
the three filaments have the appearance of being but one ; the co- 
rolla is tubular and 6-cleft, style 1, capsule 3-celled ; it belongs to the 
natural order IridcE. The Mexican tiger-flower, genus Tigridia, is 
a splendid plant of this artificial order, and the natural order Iridcp.. 
Its spotted flowers have given rise to the name which it bears. 
Order Pentandria. 
The fifth Order next occurs ; this presents us with the passion- 
flower, (Passiflora,) a climbing plant peculiar to the warm countries 
of America. "Its immensely long, and often woody branches, attain 
the summits of the loftiest trees, or trail upon the ground, adorned 
with perennially green or faUing leaves, sometimes palmate or lobed 
like fingers, at others appearing like the laurel. They sustain them- 
selves by means of undivided tendrils; and send out a succession of 
the most curious and splendid flowers, of which no other part of the 
world offers any counterpart."* Of this genus a number of species 
produce fruits of great excellence ; this iruit in South America la 
called Purchas. Sixty species of Passiflora are collected at the Lin- 
naean garden near New York.f The generic characters of the pas- 
sion-flower are a 5-parted, coloured calyx, 5 petals inserted upon 
the calyx, 5 stamens and three pistils, the nectary, a triple crown of 
filaments. The very singular appearance of this flower in the ar- 
rangement of its stamens in the form of a cross, and its triple crown, 
* Nuttall. 
t See Prince's Horticuliure. 
The brotherhoods — Monadelphia — Orders— Ordei Tiiandria— What is said of lh« 
Passion-flower— Generic character and name. 
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