154 
CLASS OCTANDKIA. 
209. The Daphne is a rare plant ; one species is called the 
lace-bark tree, from the resemblance of its inner bark, or liler^ 
to lace ; it consists of layers which may be drawn out into a 
fine white web, three or four feet wide ; Charles I. of Eng- 
land was presented by the governor of Jamaica with a cravat 
made of this web. The plant is a native of the West Indies. 
The Nasturtion {Tropceolum) is a very commonly cultivated 
exotic. The divisions are not four or eight, as we might ex- 
pect from its eight stamens, but the calyx is either four or five- 
Earted, and the corolla is five-petaled. In some cases the num- 
er of stamens has been known to vary, and abortive petals ap 
pear. The fruit consists of three seeds ; when green they are 
used for pickles. "The generic name [TrojpCBolurri) signifies a 
troj)hy-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 wdth blood.""^ It was first observed by the daughter 
of Linnaeus, that these flowers sometimes emit electrical light. 
210. Order Digynia^ two pistils. — Containing the Chrysos- 
f^enium^ of the natural order SaxifragaoeoB. The ovary con- 
sists of two carpels ; number of stamens sometimes variable, 
petals wanting. 
211. Order Trigynia. — Contains the Buckwheat {Polygo- 
nmri). The genus is extensive, containing many common 
weeds, as knot-grass, bind-weed, &c. The fagojpyrum is the 
true buckwheat ; the meal obtained by grinding its seed if 
much esteemed for griddle-cakes. The Polygonum is variable 
in its number of stamens ; the seed is a triangular nut. This 
genus is the type of the natural order PolygonacecB^ having 
flowers with no corollas, and a calyx usually colored ; including 
the dock and sorrel plants. 
212. Order Tetragynia. — We here find the beautiful plant, 
Paris, said to have been named after a prince of ancient Troy, 
remarkable for his beauty. In every part of the flower the num- 
bers four and eight prevail in the divisions. It has eight sta- 
mens, four pistils, four petals, four sepals, a four-sided and four- 
celled pericarp, which contains eight seeds, and in one species 
four large spreading leaves, at a little distance below the flower. 
The color of the whole plant is green. Properties narcotic. 
Native of England. This genus belongs to the natural order 
TrilliacecB^ distinguished for beautiful and regular flowers. The 
Ti'illium is as remarkable for its divisions by threes^ as is the 
Paris iox fowrs. 
• Sir J. E. Smith. 
209 Lacfi-bark tree- -Nasturtion.— 210. Second order.— 211 Thirl order.— 212. Fourth ordtr. 
