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BOTANICAL INTRODUCTION. 
The pericarp is the germe in a matured state; the name is 
derived from the Greek term peri, around, and karpos, fruit, 
denoting that it surrounds the fruit or seed. 
These seven parts constitute what are called the organs of 
fructification, viz :— 
Calyx, the cup. Pericarp, containing seeds. 
Corolla, the blossom. Seed, rudiment of a plant. 
Stamens, organs within the corolla. Receptacle, top of the stem. 
Pistil, the central organ. 
Beside these principal organs there is often found attached to 
many flowers, a small appendage which is called the leaf-scale. 
We will now give a short account of the classes and orders 
into which plants are divided, following the system of Linnaeus, 
in preference to that of Jussieu. The first classes depend 
mostly upon the number of the stamens, viz:— 
1st. class. Monandria, or one stamen; this class contains the 
arrowroot, ginger, and samphire. 
2d class. Diandria, or two stamens; for examples, we would 
name the lilac or syringa, the jasmine, sage, veronica. 
3d class. Triandria, or three stamens; the grasses belong to 
this class, as also the crocus, iris or fleur-de-lis, and holly. 
4th class. Tetrandria, or four stamens, containing the hous- 
tonia ccerulce, madder, and silver-tree, an exotic. 
5th class. Pentandria, or five stamens ; this class contains a 
great number of plants, many of them very beautiful, others 
quite poisonous ; in the first division we name the forget-me-not, 
the trumpet honey-suckle, and the convolvulus; in the second 
division, known by their lurid smell and hairy stamens, the 
poison hemlock, deadly nightshade, and datura stramonium. 
6th class. Hexandria, six stamens, presents us with the lily, 
the tulip, crown imperial, and Solomon’s seal. 
7th class. Heptandria, or seven stamens, contains the horse- 
chestnut, and the winter-green or chickweed. 
