CLASS ICOSANDRIA. 
213 
which, by the number alone, could not be done ; for example, 
the term eleventh class, conveys no distinction but that of mere 
number ; but the classical name Icosandria, (from Eikosi 20, 
and andria stamen,) means 20 stamens ; this then reminds you 
of the circumstance on which the class is founded. 
The name Icosondria, seems not, however, exactly well cho- 
sen to represent the eleventh class ; because it is not confined 
to twenty stamens, having sometimes as few as ten, and in some 
cases nearly a hundred stamens. An American Botanist* has 
proposed to call the class Calycandria, from calyxf and anclria, 
as the insertion of the stamens on the calyx is the essential cir- 
cumstance on which the class depends ; this name has been ap- 
proved, but still the old name is used. Thus with respect to 
the name given to the great American Continent, all allow it 
should have been Columbia, after Columbus, its discoverer ; but 
when once custom has sanctioned a name, it becomes very diffi- 
cult to overcome this authority by arguments drawn from reason. 
We shall, therefore, in compliance with the use of botanists, call 
the class Icosandria. 
The first genus which we meet with in this class is Cactus; 
it contains many species ; a very splendid one is the Night- 
blooming Cereus, (Cactus grandijlorus,') having flowers nearly 
a foot in diameter, with the calyx yellow, and the petals white ; 
they begin to open soon after the setting of the sun, and close 
before its rising, never again to blossom. Another species, (spe- 
ciossissimus,) with flowers o'f the color of crimson-velvet ; it 
is said to be still more superb than the grandiflorus; this genus 
belongs to a natural order, Succulentce, or juicy plants; they 
are in general destitute of leaves, but the stems often appear 
like a series of thick, fleshy leaves, one growing from the top 
of another. The different species of this genus are distinguish- 
ed by a diversity of common names ; when they are of a round 
form, they are called Melon thistles ; when more cylindrical 
and erect, Torch thistles ; when creeping with lateral roots, 
cerenses ; and when composed of a stem resembling flattened 
leaves, Prickly pears. 
Prunus is the genus which contains the various kinds of the 
plum, cherry and sloe: this genus, according to ancient writers, 
was brought from Syria into Greece, and from thence into Italy. 
The Roman poets often notice its fruit. We have several na- 
tive species of it. 
The pomegranate, (Punica,) is a shrubby tree, which is a 
* Darlington. t Calyx , genitive in Latin Calycis. 
Calycandria — Genu9 Cactus — Different species distinguished by a diver- 
sity of common names — Prunus — Pomegranate. 
