CLASS ENNEANDEIA. 155 
CLASS IX. ENNEANDRIA, NINE STAMENS. 
213. In the Order M?ttX)gynia we find Fig. i4o. 
tie genus Lawus^ which includes the 
cinnamon, bay, sassafras, camphor, spice- 
bush, &c., all of the natural cider Lau- 
raceoB ^ the stamens are usually arranged 
in two rows ; the three of the inner row 
being often sterile and extrorse, while vhe 
six in the outer row are fertile and in- 
trorse. 
a. The bay {Laurus nobilis) is a native of Italy ; the 
Romans considered it a favorite of the Muses, and thvj 
Emperor Tiberius wore it, not only as a triumphal 
crown, but as a protection against thunder, it being 
thought that Jupiter had a particular regard for it 
The laurel, as well as the olive, was considered as au emblem of peace ; it was 
sometimes called laurus pacifera, the peace-bearing laurel. Branches of laurel 
carried among contending armies, were considered as a signal for the cessation 
of arms. The victors in the Olympic games were crowned with wreaths of 
laurel. Poets crowned with it were called laureates. Camphor is the prod- 
uce of the Laurus camphora, a large tree which grows in Japan. The Laurus 
cinnamomum grows to the hight of thirty feet ; it sends out numerous branches 
crowned with a smooth bark. The leaves are bright green, standing in oppo- 
site pairs. The petals are six, of a greenish-white color. The fruit is a pulpy 
pericarp inclosing a nut. This tree is a native of Ceylon, where it grows very 
common in woods and hedges. The imported cinnamon is the inner bark (liber) of 
the tree ; it is remarkable that the leaves, fruit, and root, all yield oil of very dif- 
ferent qualities. That produced from tlie leaves is called the oil of cloves ; that 
obtained from the fruit is of a thick consistence, very fragrant, and is made into 
candles for the use of the king ; the bark of the roots affords an aromatic oil, called 
the oil of carnphor. The Sassafras-tree (Laurus sassafras) is a native American 
plant ; when first introduced into Europe it sold for a great price, the oil being 
highly valued for medicinal uses. It grows on the borders of streams and in 
woods ; it is often no larger than a shrub ; its flowers are yellow ; its fruit, blue 
berries. The Laurus benzoin, called spice-bush, has scarlet berries, and is an aro 
matic plant. 
Fig. 140, <^,* represents a flower of the Butomas {flowering 
rush) ; petals six, ovate. The umhellatus is the only species 
known in England ; the flowers are in rose-colored umbels. It is 
found in wet grounds, and near the margin of lakes and ponds. 
In the north of Europe are found many species ; they are 
aquatic, umbellate plants. The Butomas is the type of a natu- 
ral order Btotomaceoe^ not generally admitted. 
214. Order Trigynia presents us with but one genus, the 
Rhubarb {Rheum). The acid leaves of the Rheum tartaricum, 
are used for pies. This plant is a native of Tartary; it is 
now common in our gardens. The palmatum produces tho 
* See also Appendix, Plate viii.. Fig. 4. 
213. Class Enneandria— Different species of the genus Laurus— Lauracea— a. Describe the different 
cjjceiee of I aurus— Bulomas.— 2U. Order Trigynia. 
