CLASS DICECIA. 
193 
CLASS DICECIA. 
The class Dio3cia(two houses) has startJnate 
and pistillate flowers on separate plants. The 
distinction with regard to the orders, as in the 
preceding class, is derived from the number of 
stamens. 
There are no plants of the first order, or with 
one stamen. 
Order Diandria. 
The 2d Order contains the willow, (salix,; 
which has long and slender aments, both of 
staminate and pistillate flowers, the two kinds 
being on separate trees. 
The order Triandria contains the fig, (Ficus,) remarkable for con- 
fining the flower within the fruit; this is botanically considered as 
a juicy receptacle, within which are concealed the minute flowers 
ai.d seeds. The fig is peculiar to warm countries. 
Tetrandria contains a parasitic plant, the Mistletoe; only one spe- 
cies is indigenous to this country. The Druids* considered this plant 
as sacred to the sylvan deities. Tradition relates, that where Dru- 
idism prevailed, the houses were decked with this plant, that the syl- 
van spirits might repair to them. 
The order Pentandria contains the hemp, hop, &c. Fig. 150 rep- 
resents the pistillate and staminate flowers of the hemp, {Canna- 
bis sativa ;) at a, is the barren or staminate flower, containing fiv^e 
stamens, and having its calyx deeply five-parted; the corolla is. 
wanting. At 6, is a fertile or pistillate flower with its calyx opening 
laterally ; 6, shows the same flower divested of its calyx ; the seed is 
a nut, which is crowned with two styles. The hemp belongs to the 
natural order Urticece^ (from Urtica^ a nettle ;) the fibres of its stems 
are manufactured into cloth, cordage, and thread. The hop produ- 
ces its fertile flowers in large cones formed of membranous, imbri- 
cated scales ; these flowers have a peculiar odour, which is said to 
produce a narcotic effect upon the brain. The use of the flowers of 
the hop to produce fermentation in beer are well known. This 
plant contains a small portion of the nitrate of potash, (saltpetre.) 
Hexandria contains the honey-locust and green-brier. 
OcTANDRiA has the poplar, (Populus,) similar in natural character 
to the willow. 
MoNADELPHiA, or the 15th order, contains the red-cedar and the yew, 
which belong to the cone-bearing family, with the pine and cypress. 
We have now completed our remarks upon two classes which 
have imperfect flowers. Our review of these has been brief, when 
compared to the many interesting facts which presented themselves, 
i]i association with the various important plants which we have 
passed in rapid succession. 
, * The Druids, it is supposed, derived their name from drus, a Greek word, signify- 
mg oak, as it was in groves of this tree that the priests celebrated their mysterious 
rites, and sacrificed human victims to their sanguinary deities. 
Class DioBcia— Willow— Fig— Mistletoe— Hemp— Hop— Order Hexandria — Octan- 
dria — Monadelphia. 
17 
Fig. 150. 
