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CLASS HEPTANDRIA. 
In this order of the sixth class are the Aloes and the fan 
palm, the fronds of which are of immense size. 
We shall close this lecture by a few examples of the remain- 
ing orders of the class Hexandria, and a view of the very small 
class Heptandiia. 
DIGYNIA. 
In the second order we find but one genus, Rice, (Oryza;) 
this belongs to the family of grasses described under the 3d 
class ; but is separated from the other grasses as it has 6 sta- 
mens. No plant in the world appears of such general utility 
as an article of food as this. It is the prevailing grain of Asia, 
Africa, and the southern parts of America, and is exported into 
every part of Europe. 
TRIGYNIA. 
Here we find the genus Rumex, which contains the dock and 
sorrel ; they have no corolla, but the six stamens and three pis- 
tils are surrounded by a six leaved calyx. 
CLASS VII HEPTANDRIA. 
Monogynia. 
The first order of this class contains the chick-winter-green, 
(Trientalis ;) this plant has a calyx with 7 leaves, corolla 7 
parted. One species of it is said to defend its stamens against 
injury from rain, by closing its petals and hanging down its 
head in wet weather. 
The horse-chesnut, (jEscuIus,) is a native of the northern part 
of Asia, and was introduced into Europe about the year 1500 ; 
it was not probably brought to America until sometime after the 
settlement of this country by Europeans. It is a small tree 
which produces white flowers, variegated with red, crowded to- 
gether in the form of a panicle ; the whole resembling a pyra- 
mid. In appearance it is very showy, the more agreeable to us 
as we have so few trees whose flowers are conspicuous. The 
blossom is very irregular in its parts, that is, its number of oth- 
er divisions do not correspond with the usual number of sta- 
mens ; the stamens, however, vary as to number. The seeds 
in form have a resemblance to chesnuts, but their taste is bitter. 
A very large species, the pallida , having pale flowers, is a native 
In this order sixth class Aloes and Fan palm — Order Digynia — Rice — 
Trigynia — Rumex — Class Hcptandria — Monogynia — Trientalis — Horse 
chesnut — 
