CLASS XVII. DIADELPHIA * 
(two brotherhoods.) 
All the flowers of this class are supposed to have their 
stamina in two sets or bodies, severally united at the base : 
yet though this is the general classic character, we are not to 
imagine it is invariable ; for under the first distinction of the 
last order, the plants are monadelphiom, that is, all the stamina 
are connected ; also the two sets of stamina in the last order, 
are often to be traced with difficulty, for only one of the sets 
are properly united, the other consisting only of a single fila¬ 
ment, which in most plants adheres so closely to the united set, 
that it cannot be separated without the application of a pin 
or needle for that purpose, in some you cannot by this means 
effect a separation. Therefore the plants of this class are tnbre 
easily ascertained by their papilionaceous corolla, (resembling 
a butterfly) with stamina united at the base,f and other parts 
of the fructification, especially the calyx!. 
This class corresponds with the leguminosa of Morison, 
Hermannus, Boerhaave, Ray, and Roen ; with the teirapetaH 
irregularis of Rivinus and Christopher Knaut; with the tetra - 
petali differ me s of Christian Knaut; and with the papiliouacei 
of Tournefort and Pontedera. 
This class is truly natural, and the structure of the flowers 
very singular, and their situation mostly obliquely pendant; 
and admits of the following general charactt - .j 
*The leaves of the plants of this class are food for cattle, and the seeds, which 
are farinaceous and flatulent, are food for men as well as animals. None are 
poisonous. 
f The papilionaceous corolla alone, is not the general characteristic of this class; 
as in decandria monogynia there are five plants of the same character, viz. sophora , 
anagyris, cercis , haftnencea, and monospermum , but the stamina are distinct.—Also 
a species of African pelargonium hath a. papilionaceous corolla . 
£The character is not exactly agreeable through the whole class, but as there are 
few plants but of the order decandria , it seems principally to respect that order, and 
particularly those genera that have nine stamina joined, and one distinct. 
