B1CORNES. 509 



only 5 stamens, the petal-stamens being- absent). They are Alpine 

 plants (200 species) in the mountains of Asia, especially the 

 Himalayas ; some in S. Em-ope. Menziesia. Ledum ; small, rusty- 

 brown, hairy shrubs with polypetalous, expanded, star-like corolla. 

 Kalmia (N. Am.) has a cupular corolla, with 10 small, pocket- 

 like depressions in which the anthers are concealed until the 

 arched, elastic filaments are freed from this position by means 

 of the insects, when they quickly straighten themselves in the 

 centre of the flower. PJii/lloduce ; Loiseleuria (5 stamens) ; 

 (Clethra (?) ; also placed among the Ternstrcemiaceoe). 



About 270 species. Several species are ornamental plants. Several plants 

 of the order are more or less narcotic. Leduni pallet re Las been used as a sub- 

 stitute for hops. 



Order 4. Diapensiaceae. Hypogynous flower. 3 floral-leaves beneath 

 the flower (So, Po, A5 + 'J, G3). Stamens on the throat of the corolla. 

 Pollen-grains single. Disc absent. Capsule loculicidal. 9 species from the 

 Arctic regions. It is doubtful whether this order sbould be included in the 

 Bicornes ; perhaps it would he more correctly assigned to the Polemoniacea;. 



Order 5. Epacridaceae. This order comprises those species of the family 

 which are confined to Australia and the South Sea Islands. They are shrub-like 

 plants, resembling the Ericaceae in habit, in the inflorescence, and in the 

 structure, form, and colour of the flower. They differ especially in having 

 only 1 whorl of stamens (placed opposite the sepals) and in the anthers having 

 only 2 loculi, and opening l>y a longitudinal slit. Fruit most frequently a 

 drupe (or loculicidal capsule). Epacris- and Sujphelia- species are ornamental 

 plants. About 325 species. 



Order 6. Vacciniaceae (Bilberries). The flower (Fig. 546) 

 is epigynous, the corolla yamopetalous, and the fruit a berry. The 

 latter is most frequently spherical, and bears on its apex the 

 calyx, which is generally very low, almost entire, and with a disc- 

 like expansion inside. The flower is 4- or 5-merous (Fig. 5405, D). 

 The anthers have 2 pores, and are most frequently 2-horned 

 (Fig. 546 F, G). Small shrubs ; the leaves are scattered, nob 

 needle-like. 



Vaccinium (Bilberry, Whortleberry) has an urceolate, gamo- 

 petalous, only slightly dentate corolla, and horn-like appendages 

 to the anthers (Fig. 546). V. vitis hhca (Cowberry) is evergreen, with 

 flowers in racemes, and bright red berries; V. myrtillus (Bilberry) and V. 

 uliginosum (Bog Whortleberry) both have black berries with a blue bloom, leaves 

 deciduous. (Jj-ycoccus has a polypetalous corolla with the petals 

 projecting backwards. Anthers without appendages. o. paluntrin 

 (Cranberry) has a slender, creeping stem, and is evergreen. Dark red berry. 



