Order Cxlviii
CYCADEE.
The true station of this very curious order is extremely uncertain. Although placed here in conformity with the common practice, it is to be supposed that its true station is in the immediate vicinity of ferns, with which the species agree in vernation, and in many curious particulars. All are natives of countries beyond the reach of frosts, chiefly of the Cape of Good Hope and equinoctial America. With a low trunk which rarely exceeds the height of a few inches, they have the fronds and appearance of pigmy palms, and the inflorescence of gigantic Equisetums. The trunk of Cycas contains a great quantity of fæcula, which is manufactured into a kind of spurious sago; and a similar substance, it has lately been ascertained, may be obtained from the stem of Cýcas. (Gard. Mag., vol. iv.) 2107 Cýcas W.
CLASS II. 2108 Zámia W.
MONOCOTYLEDONES.
The physiological peculiarities of this class of plants have been already explained in the general remarks which precede this arrangement of natural orders. To what is there stated, little remains to be added, except that in these northern regions, every thing included in it is herbaceous, and that in hotter latitudes, few deserve the name of either bush or tree, except the palms, and a few Aroideæ and Asphodeleæ. SECTION I. STAMENS EPIGYNOUS.