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CLASS DIDYNAMIA. 
CLASS DIDYNAMIA. 
This class has flowers with four stamens, two of which are 
longer than the other two ; plants of this class are in general 
easily distinguished ; the stamens stand in pairs ; the outer pair 
being longer, the inner pair shorter, and converging. 
The class contains two orders, Gymnospermia, (naked seeds,) 
and Angiospermia, (seeds covered). 
GYMNOSPERMIA. 
In the l.«< order , which contains plants with four naked seeds, 
the flowers grow in whorls or rings, having a square or angled 
stem, and leaves opposite. The corollas are labiate , having di- 
visions resembling lips, and they are also called ringent , or ga- 
ping, because the lips appear to be open. The calyx is either 
in five equal parts, or consists of two lips. 
The plants of this order are mostly aromatic ; very few are 
poisonous. We find here the Mint, Lavender, Penny-royal, Sa- 
vory, Balm, and others of a similar nature. They are included 
under the natural order of Linnaeus, called Ferticillatce* and 
the 39th order of Jussieu, Labiatce. For more particular re- 
marks upon these plants, you can consult remarks on the Labi- 
ate flowers. 
ANGIOSPERMIA. 
The 2d order contains those plants which have their seed cov- 
ered, or in a capsule ; the seeds are numerous. Plants of this 
order appear to have an affinity with some families of the class 
Pentandria. Many have in addition to the four stamens, a fifth 
filament, which appears to be the rudiment of another stamen ; 
sometimes the irregular corolla varies into a regular form with 
five divisions. Among those which exhibit the imperfect fifth 
stamen, are the Trumpet-flower, Foxglove, and Penstemon. 
In this order the personate corollas are to be found, or such ^la- 
biate flowers as have closed lips. It should be observed that not 
all the flowers found here are labiate ; some few may be found 
with bell-form and funnel-form corollas. Plants of this order 
differ much in their natural characters, from those of the order, 
Angiospermia. None of them are used in preparations for food, 
as are the Thyme and Savory of the first order, but many of them 
* From rerticillus, a whorl. 
Class Didynamia — Two orders — Order Gymnospermia — Order 'Angios- 
permia. 
