CLASS XXIII. POLYGAMIA. 
(polygamies.) 
This class consists of such genera as have monoclinian 
flowers, and also either male or female flowers, or both, dis¬ 
tinct, either on the same, or on different plants: so that to 
be of this class, a plant ought to have some of its flowers mo- 
noclinian, to distinguish it from those of the classes monxcia 
and diot-cia. Yet there are a few exceptions, as in the third 
distinction under the second order, and in the third order. 
The polygamy of moniclinians and males on the same plant 
is also observable in several of the umbelliferous plants (pentan. 
digyn.), particularly carrot, sanicle, hogs fennel , coriander f 
chervil, shepherd's needle , alisander , bastard parsley , and 
carui. —Thestj plants therefore, strictly, ought to have been 
arranged under this class ; but Linnaeus more properly judged 
the natural umbelliferous character to be prevalent. 
This class contains three orders. 
ORDER I. MONCECIA 
(one house.) 
Having the polygamy on the same plant* 
of • Species M 
N # Genera. Growth. Species* Native of Britain# 
1st. Male monoclinians , and female monpclinians 
Spat ha. 
1 Musaf h 3 India 
* Called so from the sex that is predominant, as a male monoclinian hath tbs 
female abortive or ineffectual; and & female monoclinian the male. For it is to be 
observed, that the monoclinian flower commonly fails in one sex, whence the male 
or female flower becomes necessary. 
■pThe banana (musa sapientum) is a fruit much esteemed by the Indians ; in 
the island of Madeira it is called the forbidden fruit, and is thought a crime to cut 
it with a knife, because, after dissection, they fancy it represents our Saviour’s 
crucifixion, and that they thereby wound his sacred image. The plantain tree 
(musa paradisiacaj will rise fifteen or twenty feet, and generally flowers within the 
year, and the leaves, when the plant is in full vigour, are often eight feet long, and 
