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CLASS GYNANDRIA. 
LECTURE XXXVI. 
CLASS XVIII GYNANDRIA. 
We shall now examine a class, in which an entirely new cir- 
cumstance from any yet considered, is regarded as forming its 
essential character. This circumstance is the situation of the 
stamens upon the pistil, or the stamens appearing to grow out 
of that organ. In some cases the stamens appear to proceed 
from the germ, in others, from the style. There is sometimes 
difficulty in deciding as to the number of stamens, for they are 
not here, as in the other classes, distinct organs, but in some 
cases mere collections of glutinous pollen. 
The orders in this class, as in Monadelphia and Diadelphia, 
depend on the number of stamens, or of those singular collec- 
tions of pollen which are called stamens. The Orchis plants 
form an important part of the class Gynandria ; most of these 
are perennial, and grow in moist and shady places ; some of 
them are parasites, adhering to the bark of trees by their fleshy 
fibrous roots. The roots consist sometimes of two solid bulbs, 
in other cases they are oblong, fleshy substances, tapering to- 
wards the ends like the fingers of the hand. We find here the 
natural family Orchideje, so called from the genus Orchis, a name 
derived from a Greek word, signifying an olive-berry, on account 
of the root being round like that fruit. The Orchis family is 
not, however, confined to this one genus, but includes the Are- 
thusa and several other genera. The distinguishing characters of 
this natural family are a corolla above the germ, 5 petals, 3 external 
and 2 internal. There is also in each corolla a petal-like organ, 
called the lip, which varies in form and direction, anthers always 
1 or 2, and from 1 to 4 celled, sessile, or sitting upon the side 
or apex of the style ; the pollen is easily removed from the cells 
in glutinous masses ; the styles are simple, with viscous stigmas 
of various forms and positions. The capsules are 1 celled, 3 
valved, 3 keeled ; seeds are numerous and dust-like, clasping the 
stem like the leaves of grasses. The stems or scapes aie sim- 
ple, undivided, and the flowers are arranged in spikes or racemes. 
MONANDRIA. 
The 1st order of the 18th class contains such plants as have 
but one stamen, or two masses of glutinous pollen, equal to one 
Class Gynandria — New circumstance to be regarded — Orders depend on 
the number of stamens — Natural family Orchidete — Distinguishing charac- 
ters of this family — Order Monandria. 
