54 



XLV-. GROSSULACEiE. The Currant Tribe. 



Giiossui.ARiE.E, Dec. Fl. Fr. 4. 400. (1804); Kunlh Nov. G. et Sp. C. 58. (1823); 

 Dec. Prodr. 3. 477. (1828). — RiBESiiE, Ach. Rich. Bot. Med. 2. 48?. (1823).— 

 Grossulace.e, Mirlj. Elttn. 2. 897- (1815); Lindl. Synops. 106. (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with 5 perigynous fertile sta- 

 mens, concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium with one cell and parietal pla-: 

 centre, baccate fruit, and distinct petals and sepals. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Chahacter. — Ca/yjr superior, 4-or5-parted, regular, coloured. Petals 5, 

 miniue, inserted in the throat of the calyx. Stamens 5, inserted alternately with the petals, 

 very short. Ouarii/m 1-celled, with 2 opposite parietal placentaj ; ovules numerous; style 

 2-3-4-deft. Berry crowned with the remains of the flower, 1-celled ; the cell filled with 

 pulp. Seeds numerous, suspended among the pulp by long filiform funiculi; testa exter- 

 nally gelatinous, adhering firmly to the albumen, which is horny ; embryo minute, excen- 



trical, with the radicle next the hilum Shrubs, either unarmed or spiny. Leaves 



alternate, lohed, with a plaited vernation. Floiccrs in axillary racemes, with bractese at 

 tlieir base, very rarely unisexual. 



Affinities. Formerly confounded with Cactese, to which, notwith- 

 standing the dissimilarity of their appearance, they are indeed most closely 

 related ; the principal differences between the two orders are, that in Cacteae 

 the stamens are indefinite, the seeds without albumen, and the calyx and 

 corolla undistinguishable; while in Grossulaceoe the stamens are definite, 

 the seeds albuminous, and the calyx and corolla distinct. There are spines 

 in both orders, and some of the Cacteoe have distinct leaves. From Ona- 

 grariae, Grossulacese are distinguished by the minute embryo, parietal placentae, 

 and the quinary divisions of the floral envelopes; from Homalinese by the 

 want of glands at the base of the sepals and petals, which are also undistin- 

 guishable from one another in the latter ; and from Loasese by habit, number 

 of stamens and petals, and various other characters. 



Geography. Natives of the mountains, hills, woods, and thickets, of 

 the temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and America, but unknown in Africa, 

 the tropics of either hemisphere, or the South Sea Islands. In North America 

 they are particularly abundant, and on the mountains of Northern India 

 they contribute to give a European character to that remarkable region. 



Properties. The properties of the Gooseberry and Currant are those of 

 the generality of theorder, except that in other species a mawkish or extremely 

 acid taste is substituted for the refreshing and agreeable flavour of the former. 

 Some are emetic. The black Currant, which is tonic and stimulant, has 

 fragrant glands upon its leaves and flowers ; these reservoirs are also found 

 upon some other species. Malic acid exists in Currants and Gooseberries. 

 Turner, 634. 



Example. Ribes. 



XLVI. CACTE^. The Indian-Fig Tribe. 



Cacti, Juss. Gen. 310. (1789) in /)«r/. — CACToinE.i-, Vent. Tail. 3. 289.(1799).— 

 OpuNTiACE.r, Juss. Diet. Sc 3.j. 144. (1825) in part. ; Knnth Nov. G. ct Sp. fi. fi.i. 



(1823) Nopal EJE, Z)ec. Tht^oric FJtm.2U;. (1819) — CactE/E, Dec. Prodr. 3. 457- 



(1828); Mem. Mus. (1829). 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous succulent dicotyledons, with indefinite perigy- 

 nous fertile stamens, concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium with one cell and 

 parietal placenta^, baccate fruit, and imbricate petals and sepals. 



