CLASS OCTANDRIA. 
205 
use of it to thatch the roofs of their cottages, and their beds are 
also made of it. The field in which this plant grows is termed 
a heath or heather. 
“ The Erica here, 
That o’er the Caledonian hills sublime, 
Spreads its dark mantle, where the Bees delight 
To seek their purest Honey, flourishes; 
Sometimes with bells like Amethysts, and then 
Paler, and shaded like the maiden’s cheek 
With gradual blushes; other while, as white 
As frost that hangs upon the wintry spray.” 
The Daphne is a rare plant ; one species is called the Lace- 
bark tree, from the resemblance of its inner bark or liber to net 
work or lace. This bark is very beautiful, consisting of layers 
which may be pulled out into fine white web, three or four feet 
wide ; this is sometimes used for ladies’ dresses and may even 
be washed without injury. Charles I. of England was present- 
ed by the govenor of Jamaica with a cravat made of this web. 
The plant is a native of the West Indies. 
The Nasturtion, (Tropoeolum,) is a very commonly cultivated 
exotic. It has not a regularity of parts ; the divisions of the 
corolla and calyx are not four or eight, which we might expect 
from its eight stamens, but consists of five petals. The fruit 
consists of three seeds ; these are used for pickles. “ The gen- 
eric name, (Tropoeolum,) signifies a trophy plant ; this alludes 
to its use for decorating bowers, and the resemblance of its pel- 
tate leaves to shields, as well as of its flowers to golden helmets, 
pierced through and stained with blood.”* 
The Second order of the 8th class has few plants of impor- 
tance. 
The Third Order contains the Buckwheat, (Polygonum,) 
which is classed in the same natural order as the dock, pigweed, 
&c. “having flowers destitute of beauty and gay coloriug.” 
The genus is extensive, containing many plants which are con- 
sidered as common weeds ; the species, Jagopyrum, is the true 
Buckwheat, the use of which as an article of food is too well 
known to need a remark. This plant is variable in its number 
of stamens ; the fruit is one angular seed. 
In the Fourth Order of this class is a very rare plant called 
Paris. It is said to have been named after Paris a prince of an- 
cient Troy, who was remarkable for his beauty. In every part 
of the flower there is the most perfect regularity; the numbers 
four and eight prevailing in every division. It has 8 stamens, 
* Sir J. E. Smith. 
Lace bark tree — Nasturtion — Buck-wheat — Genus Paris. 
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