CLASS XX. GYNANDRIA * 
, (feminine males.) 
The flowers of this class are distinguished by having the* 
stamina placed upon the style, or rather, upon a columnar 
receptacle lengthened out into the form of a style, supporting 
both the stamina and pistillum. 
In examining and comparing the characters of this class, it 
is more necessary to attend to the pistillum before the stamina, 
in order to attain a distinct idea of the latter. 
All the flowers of this class have a very singular appearance?, 
owing to the uncommon disposition of the sexes. 
The first order (diandria) of this class is natural, and its 
genera (formerly distinguished by the root) Linnaeus distin¬ 
guished* by the nectariutn alone. 
The flowers also of this order are very singular, having the 
following description: 
Calyx. A spatha protruding a spadix^ and the flowers have 
no perianthium. 
Corolla. Five petals, of which the two inner generally ap¬ 
proach so as to form an helmet, the outer are larger, and 
nearly equal j the lower lip of the helmet constitutes a nee- 
tarium, and hath the appearance of a sixth, petal; and the 
upper lip is incorporated with the style of the pistillum. 
Stamina. Always two , the filaments very short, supporting 
two antherae, narrower downwards, naked, and divisible: 
The antherae are generally enclosed by little cells, open 
underneath, and covered by , a fold of the upper lip of 
the nectarium. 
* The name of this class means ■woman-man, in allusion to the singular circum¬ 
stance of the stamina growing upon the pistillum; so that the male and female are 
united, and do not stand separate as in other flowers; and is therefore translated 
feminine males; and is the only class in which the flowers ought, with any 
priety, to bear the name of hermaphrodites. 
