182 
CLASS MONCECIA. 
CLEPT4S) ; tLis has been placed in the fifth class, on the supposi- 
tion that the stamens do not proceed from the pistil ; but its 
masses of pollen (pollinia) render it plainl}^ gynandrous. Order 
Hexandria^ six stamens^ contains the Virginia snake-root (Aris- 
TOLOCHiA serpentaoria)^ a perennial plant with brown fibrous 
roots ; it is found in shady woods from I^ew England to Florida. 
It is found by chemical analysis to contain " pure camphor, a 
resin, a bitter extractive, and a strong essential oiL" It was 
used by the Indians as a remedy for the bite of a snake ; from 
this circumstance is derived its name. This plant, in its medi- 
cinal properties, difi*ers essentially from the Poly gala senega^ or 
Seneca snake-root, and the mistaking one for the other might, 
in critical stages of disease, be attended with fatal conse- 
quences.* Order Decmidria^ ten stamens. — ^We here find the 
wild ginger (Asarum) ; this is a native plant, so low that its 
flowers are almost concealed in the ground; the roots are 
creeping and aromatic. 
272. Although many species of the class Gynandria are in- 
digenous we cannot readily procure specimens of many of its 
genera. The lady's-slipper, milk-weed, and dog's-bane, may be 
obtained, but many of the plants of this family opposing all 
attempts at cultivation, are to be found only in the depths of the 
forest, or places little frequented by man ; like the aboriginal 
inhabitants of America, they seem to prefer their own native 
wilds to the refinements and luxuries of civilized life. 
LECTUEE XXXYI. 
MONCECIA, ONE HOUSEHOLD. DIOECIA, TW^O HOUSEHOLDS. 
273. In all the classes hitherto examined, we have found per- 
fect flowers. Our present inquiry is to be directed to two 
classes, in which the flowers are imperfect^ or hoth stamen and 
"pistil are not found in the same individudl flower. The stam- 
mate floweis are barren.^ they bear no fruit ; the pistillate flowei'S, 
after being fertilized by the pollen from the infertile flov»' ers, pro- 
duce the fruit. 
* A pnysician prescribed for a sick child the Seneca snake-root (Poi.ygala senega) ; an ignorant 
ai)othecary sent the Virginia snake-root (Aristolochia serpentaria), supposing o?ie kind of snuke- 
root. would ajiswer as well as another. Tlie physician having, fortunately, remained to inspect the 
medicine which he had ordered, the mistake was seasonably discovered. This instance shows the im- 
portance of botanical knowledge, particularly in those who attempt to deal in medicine. Had the 
niotiier of the child understood botany, the mistake would have been discovered although the physician 
had not been present. 
Hexandria— Snake-root— Decandria.— 972. Concluding remarks.— 273. In what respect do the lw« 
oe\t classes diiTur from the pre^edinj: ones 1 
