53 



suspended among the pulp by long filiform funiculi ; testa externally gelatinous, adhering 

 firmly to the albumen, which is horny ; embryo minute, excentrical, with the radicle next the 

 hilum. — Shrubs, either unarmed or spiny. Leaves alternate, lobed, with a plaited vernation. 

 Flowers, in axillary racemes, with bractea: at their ba3e, very rarely diclinous. 



Affinities. Formerly confounded with Cacteae, to which, notwithstanding 

 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 undistin- 

 guishable ; while in Grossulacere the stamens are definite, the seeds albumi- 

 nous, and the calyx and corolla distinct. There are spines in both orders, and 

 some of the Cactere have distinct leaves. From Onagrarire, Grossulaceae are 

 distinguished by the minute embryo, parietal placenta?, and the quinary divi- 

 sions of the floral envelopes ; from Homalineae by the want of glands at the 

 base of the sepals and petals, which are also undistinguishable from one another 

 in the latter ; and from Loasere 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 tro- 

 pics 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 the order, 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 fra- 

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

 some other species. Malic acid exists in Currants- and Gooseberries. Tur- 

 ner, 634. 



Example. Ribes. 



XLVI. CACTE^. The Indian-Fig Tribe. 



Cacti, Juss. Gen. 310. (1789) in part.— Cactoioeje, Vent. Tail. 3. 289. (1799).— Opuntiace.e, 

 Juss. Die. Sc. 35. 144. (1825) in part.; Kunth Nov. G.et Sp. 6. 65. (1823).— NopalejB, 

 Dec. TheorieElem. 216. (1819).— Cacteje, Dec. Prodr. 3.457. (1828) ; Mem. Mws.(1829.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous succulent dicotyledons, with indefinite perigy- 

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

 pareital placenta?, baccate fruit, and imbricate petals and sepals. 



Anomalies. The calyx and corolla are distinguishable in Rhipsalis, which 

 is also said to have its seeds attached to a central placenta. 



Essential Character. — Sepals numerous, usually indefinite, and confounded with the 

 petals, either crowning the ovarium, or covering its whole surface. Petals numerous, usually 

 indefinite, arising from the orifice ©f the calyx, sometimes irregular. Stamens indefinite, 

 more or less cohering with the petals and sepals ; filaments Ion" 1 , filiform ; anthers ovate, 

 versatile. Ovarium fleshy, inferior, 1- celled, with numerous ovula arranged upon parietal 

 placenta;, equal in number to the lobes of the stigma ; style filiform ; stigmata numerous, 

 collected in a cluster. Fruit succulent, 1-cellcd, many-seeded, either smooth or covered with 

 scales, scars, or tubercles. Seeds parietal, or, having lost their adhesion, nestling in pulp, 

 ovate or obovate, without albumen ; embryo either straight, curve'!, or spiral, with a short 

 thick radicle ; cotyledons flat, thick, foliaceous, sometimes almost obsolete (in the leafless 

 species.) — Succulent shrubs, very variable in form. Stems usually angular, or two-edged, 

 or foliaceous. Leaves almost always wanting ; when present, fleshy, smooth, and entire or 

 spine-like. Flowers either showy or minute, usually lasting only one day or night, always 

 sesaile. 



