CLASS MONADELPHIA. 
173 
LECTURE XXXIII. 
CLASS XV. — MONADELPHIA. 
We are now to consider the brotherhoods, as the names of the 15th 
and 16th classes signify ; Monadelphia, meaning one, and Diadel- 
phia two brotherhoods, in alhision to the manner in w^hich the fila- 
ments are connected in one or two sets. The orders in these classes 
depend upon the number of stamens. 
In the class Monadelphia, we include all 
such plants a|S have their filaments united in 
one set, forming a tube at the bottom of the 
corolla ) in this respect, this class differs froni 
the preceding ones, where the stamens are en- 
tirely separate ; here you will observe that the 
anthers are separate, though the Jilaments are 
joined. We cannot in this class, as in the two 
preceding ones, point out any prevailing 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 
Fig. 140. 
first order here, for the character of the class is, Jilaments 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 fila^nents, forming a tube. We find in this 
order a handsonie plant, called blue-eyed grass, (Sisyrinchium 
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 Iridcjo. The Mexican tiger-flower, genus Tigridia, is 
a splendid plant of this artificial order, and the natural order Ir idee. 
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, (Passifiora^) 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 falling leaves, sometimes palmate orlobed 
hke 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 
wwld offers any counterpart."* Of this genus a number of species 
produce fruits of great excellence ; this fruit in South America is 
called Purchas. Sixty species of Passiflora are collected at the Lin- 
nasan 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 Horticulture. 
The brotherhoods— Monadelphia— Orders— Order Triandria— What is said of the 
Passion-flcwer— Generic character and name. 
