CLASS MONCECIA. 
189 
to contain C£ pure camphor, a resin, a bitter extractive, and a strong 
essential oil. 55 It was used by the Indians as a remedy for the bite of 
a snake ; from this circumstance is derived its name. This plant in 
its medicinal properties differs essentially from the Polygala senega , 
or Seneca snake-root, and the mistaking one for the other, might, in 
critical stages of disease, be attended with fatal consequences.* 
Order Decandria. 
In the 10th order we find the wild ginger, (Asarum ;) this is a na¬ 
tive plant, so low that its flowers are almost concealed in the ground; 
the roots are creeping and aromatic, having the taste and smell of 
the snake-root, (Aristolochia.) 
We have now completed our view of the class Gynandria; 
although many species of it are indigenous to this country, you will 
not so readily procure specimens of this, as of most other native 
plants. Theladies’-slipper, milk-weed, and dogsbane, you can often 
find, but many of the plants of this family, particularly the Orchis 
tribe, opposing all attempts at cultivation, are to be found only in 
the depths of the forest, or places little frequented by man; like 
the aboriginal inhabitants of America, they seem to prefer their 
own native wilds to the refinements and luxuries of civilized life. 
LECTURE XXXVI. 
CLASSES MONCECIA AND DICECIA. 
In all the classes hitherto examined, we have found perfect flow¬ 
ers. Our present inquiry is to be directed to two classes, in which 
the flowers are imperfect , or both stamen and pistil are not found in 
the same individual flower. The stamens are infertile, or disappear 
without any fruit; the pistils contain the germ, and being fertilized 
by the pollen of the infertile flowers, produce the fruit 
CLASS MONCECIA.. 
The class Moncecia (one house) contains 
plants where, growing from the same root, 
we find some flowers containing only sta¬ 
mens, others only pistils. The orders in this 
class are determined by the number of sta¬ 
mens in each flower. 
Order Monandria. 
In the first order is the Bread-fruit tree, 
(Artocarfus,) which grows to the height of 
forty feet, having fruit of the size of a large 
water-melon, hanging from its boughs like 
apples ; it is a native of the East Indies ; 
when roasted if resembles white bread, and 
is much valued for food. 
This plant belongs to the natural order 
Urticse, in which are the Fig and Mulberry. 
* A physician prescribed for a sick child the Seneca snake-root, (Polvoala senega ;> 
the ignorant apothecary sent the Virginia snake-root, (Aristolochia serpentaria.) 
The physician having fortunately remained to inspect the medicine which he had or¬ 
dered, the mistake was seasonably discovered. This instance shows the importance 
of botanical knowledge, particularly in those who attempt to deal in medicine. Had 
the mother of the child understood botany, the mistake would have been discovered 
although the physician had not been present. 
Wild ginger—Concluding remarks—In what respect do the two next classes differ 
from the preceding ones']—Class Monoecia—Order Monandria—Bread-fruit. 
