ORDER DIANDR1A. 
235 
stamen ; this order is divided into sections, which relate to tlie 
manner in which the anther is attached to the style ; as, whether 
it is easily separated, whether the anther grows upon the top of 
the stigma, and to the shape of the masses of pollen which are 
called the anther. 
The Orchis genus, which is found in this order, has a necta- 
ry in the shape of a horn ; its corolla is somewhat ringent, the 
upper petal vaulted, the lip is spreading, the 2 masses of pollen 
are concealed at the sides, by little sacs, or hooded hollows of 
the stigma. 
DIANDRIA. 
The 2d order contains the ladies’ slipper, (Cypripedium,) the 
nectary or lip, is large, inflated, and fancied to resemble a slip- 
per. We have several species of this curious plant, some of 
them are yellow, some white, and others purple. 
PENTANDRIA. 
The 5th order contains the milk-weed, (Asclepias,) which 
by some has been placed in the fifth class, on the supposition 
that the stamens did not proceed from the pistil. In order to 
assist you to understand these flowers, we will present you with 
a very plain and simple description, borrowed from a manu- 
script belonging to an American botanist,* who has devoted 
many years in attention to scientific pursuits, and has particu- 
larly examined into the character of the plants we are now con- 
sidering. He says, “ I select the milk-weed for exercising you 
in the Grammar of Fructification, because it will lead you into 
a very nice investigation of that kind of flower whose anthers 
produce glutinous pollen ; and I now apprize you, that the sta- 
mens are generally obscure, and difficult to ascertain correctly, 
in such cases, particularly in the flowers of the Orchis tribe. 
" Take one of those heads of flowers from the milk-weed, 
(Asclepias,) which are so common in the months of June and 
July, you will perceive that each flower grows upon a little 
stalk, and that all these stalks proceed from the same centre, 
like the braces of an umbrella ; which answers to the definition 
given of an umbel inflorescence. 
“ The most conspicuous parts of a single flower, are five up- 
right substances, and five petals reflexed and lying down close 
to the stem ; lift up those petals, and you will find a calyx con- 
sisting of five small narrow leaves. 
* Professor Eaton. 
Orchis — Order Diandria — Ladies’-slipper — Order Pentandria, Milk-weed 
— Eaton’s description of the milk-weed. 
