CLASS XVI. MONADELPHIA.* * 
(one brotherhood.) 
The flowers of this class have their stamina in one set, that 
is, they are united at the base into one circular body, in the 
midst of which standeth the pistillum. 
The genera of this class have been variously distinguished 
by different botanists; some by the petals, others by the fruit 
and leaves of the plant, but Linnaeus found the best and most 
infallible, distinction to be in the calyx, which in the last order 
is generally double. 
This class hath the following natural character: 
Calyx. A perianthium always present, permanent, and in 
many genera double. 
Corolla. Petals five, or five divisions, generally inversely 
heart-shaped, the sides of which fold one over the other 
from the right to the left, contrary to the motion of 
the sun. 
Stamina. The filaments united at the bottom, separate at 
the top,f the exterior shorter. The anthera generally 
kidney-shaped, and incumbent, that is, fixed by its side 
leaning to the top of the filament. 
Pistillum. The receptacle, of the fructification is prominent 
in the centre of the flower. The germens erect, sur¬ 
rounding the top of the receptacle in a jointed ring. 
. r.- l l l ghH I . ... . 
* The plants of this class, especially those of the order polyandria, are esteemed 
emollient and mucilaginous; which properties are common to every part of the 
plant. None are poisonous. 
f In some plants the separation is not to be effected without a pin or needle, as 
in hibiscus , (althaea) &c.—They are differently situated in different genera ; some¬ 
times on the receptacle, as in barringtonia ; sometimes on the calyx, as in hydnora; 
sometimes on the coral, as in althwa , ulceci, malva , &c. 
