160 
CLASS OCTANDRIA. 
( Erica cincrea) has bell- form flowers, small and delicate, with the 
colour pink, or varying into other colours ; the flowers intermixed 
with the delicate green leaves produce a fine effect. The kind of 
soil necessary to the growth of the heath, is the peat earth, so com- 
mon in England and Scotland, in which countries this plant abounds; 
thus Scott says of his Lady of the Lake, 
"A foot more light, a step more true, 
Ne'er from the heath-flower brush'd the dew." 
In the Highlands of Scotland, the poor make use of the heath to 
thatch the roofs of their cottages ; their beds are also made of it 
The field in which this plant grows is termed a heath or heather. 
" The Erica here. 
That o'er the Caledonian hills sublime, 
Spreads its dark mantle, where the bees delight 
To seek their purest honey, flourishes ; 
Sometimes with beils like amethysts, and then 
Paler, and shaded, like the maiden's cheek. 
With gradual blushes; other while, as white 
As frost that hangs upon the wintry spray." 
The Daphne is a rare plant; one species is called the Lace-bark 
tree, from the resemblance of its inner bark or liber to net-work or 
lace. This bark is very beautiful, consisting of layers which may 
be pulled out into a fine white web, three or four feet wide ; this is 
sometimes used for ladies' dresses, and may even be washed without 
injury. Charles L of England, was presented by the governor of 
Jamaica v/ith a cravat made of this web. The plant is a native of 
the West Indies. 
The Nasturtion (IVopa'ohcm) is a very commonly cultivated ex- 
otic. It has not a regularity of parts ; the divisions are not four or 
eight, which we might expect from its eight stamens, but the calyx is 
either four or five-parted, and the corolla is five-petalled. The fruit 
consists of three seeds ; these are used for pickles. " The generic 
name ( Tropccolum) signifies a trophy-plant ; this alludes to its use for 
decorating triumphal arches, or to the resemblance of its peltate 
leaves to shields as well as its flowers to golden helmets pierced 
through and stained with blood."* 
Order Trigynia. 
This order contains the Buckvv'heat, {Polygonum^) which was 
classed by Linnasus in the same natural order as the dock, pigw^eed, 
&c., " having flowers destitute of beauty and gay colouring.'" The 
genus is extensive, containing many plants which are considered as 
common weeds. The fagopyrum is the true buckwheat; the meal 
obtained by grinding its seed, is much esteemed for cakes; these are 
called slap-jacks in New-England, in England, crumpits. The Po- 
lygonum is variable in its number of stamens ; the seed is a triangu- 
lar nut. 
Order Tetragynia. 
We here find the beautiful plant, Paris, which is said to have been 
named after a prince of ancient Troy, remarkable for his beauty. 
In every part of the flower there is the most perfect regularity ; the 
numbers four and eight prevailing in the divisions. It has 8 stamens, 
4 pistils, 4 petals, 4 sepals, a 4-sided and 4-celled pericarp, which con- 
tains 8 seeds, and 4 large spreading leaves, at a little distance be- 
low the flower. The colour of the whole is green. The plant is said 
to be narcotic. It is a native of England. 
* Sir J. R. Smith. 
Lace-bark tree— Nasturtion — Second order — Third order— Fourth order. 
