CLASS HEXANDKIA. 
14:7 
times used by dyers ; the wood and bark of some of its species 
are a tonic bitter. This genus is placed in the natural order 
Ran unculaceoB. 
b. 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 practical botanists by introducing to the student a few 
interesting plants; — this can only be done by gathering flowers and examining 
them according to those rules of analysis which we have endeavored to explain in 
the most simple manner. Those who study flowers will read descriptive botany 
with pleasui-e and profit — otherwise, to little advantage. Sciences may be unfolded, 
every facility which books and teaching can give may be placed before the youth- 
ful mind, but that mind must itself be active, or the germs of knowledge will no 
more take root and expand than the seeds of plants would vegetate if thrown upon 
tho bare surface of a gi anite rock. 
LECTUEE XXYII. 
HEXAITDRIA, SIX STAMENS. HEPTANDRIA, SEVEN STAMENS, 
195. Hexo/ndria. — Of all the Artificial classes none presents 
us with so great a number of splendid genera as this ; most ol 
them are distinguished by bulbous roots, monocotyledonous 
seeds^ and endogenous stems ; the palms and some other plants 
of this class h.2iVQ fibrous roots in connection with the last two 
characters which are inseparable ; the structure of the stem or 
the manner of its growth depends on the striccture of the seed. 
196. Order Monogynia^ one pistil. — ^The natural order Lilia- 
cese comprehends not only the lily, but the tulip, crown-impe- 
rial, hyacinth, and many other of our most beautiful exotics, as 
well as many native plants. The liliaceous flowers have no 
calyx ; the perianth, colored and petal-like, is usually called the 
corolla. The number of stamens is generally six, sometimes 
but three ; in the latter case the plant is in the class Triandria : 
the stamens are opposite the divisions of the corolla ; anthers 
introrse; germ triangular, three-celled, superior; leaves paral- 
lel-veined. The fibrous roots connected with bulbs, tubers, oi 
rhizomes, are now ranked as subterranean stems. 
a. Pliny says the "lily is next in nobility to the lose."* Linnaeus called the 
liliaceous flowers " Nobles of the vegetable kingdom ;" he also called the palm- 
• " Lilium nobilitate proximum est." A French poet, in th • following lines, gives the lily a rank 
tbove \ke rose. 
Noble fils dn soleil, le lys majesteux. 
Vers I'astre paternal dont il brave les feux 
Eleve avec orgueil sa tete souveraine ; 
II est roi des fleurs, la rose est la reine." 
Rannncnlacese — Remarks. — 195. Class Hexandria — Natural characters which distinguish plants ol 
this Class.— 19C. Liliacese— Lily — Proportion as to numbers. 
