103 



Tlie cliiu-acters arc: tiiat the calyx is a ihrce-parted, spreading, 

 permanent periantliium, the divisions ovate, equal, two more gajjing 

 tliaii the oilier: there is no corolla: the stamina a setaceous filament, 

 longer than the calyx, within the middle division, and erect: the an- 

 ther is twin: the |)istillum is an ovale, acuminate germ: the styles 

 are two, erect, and gaping, ihe Icnglli of the stamen: the stigmas are 

 simple: the pcMicarpium is a very thin cajisule, (rather the crust of 

 the seed) ovate, a little compressed, contained within the calyx now 

 become a berry: the seed single, globular and compressed, the size 

 of the capside. 



The species mostly cultivated for ornament are: 1. B. rapitatiim. 

 Berry-headed Strawberry iUite; 2. B. vhgaluni. Slender-branched 

 Strawberry Blile; 3. B. Turtaticiim, Tartarian Strawherry Hlite. 



I'he first is an annual plant, with leaves somewhat like those of 

 Spinach. The stalk rises about two feet and a half high, when cul- 

 tivated in gardens. The leaves on the lower part of it are of the 

 same shape with the root-leaves, only smaller. The upper part of it 

 has flowers coming out in small heads at every joint, and is termi- 

 nated by a small cluster of the same. After the flowers are past, 

 these little heads swell to the size of wood stiawberries, and when 

 ripe have the same appearance; being very succulent, and full of a 

 purple juice, which stains the hands, and was formeily used for culi- 

 nary purposes as a colouring ingredient. 



There are varieties, with white and red leaves. 

 The second species seldom grows more than one foot high, with 

 smaller leaves than the first, but of the same shape. The flowers are 

 produced from the axil,-;, almost the whole length of the slalk: they 

 are small, and collected into little heads, shaped like those of the 

 first, but smaller, and not so deeply coloured. It is a native of the 

 South of France. 



There are varieties, with striped leaves, and with white flowers. 



The third rises near three feet high: the leaves are triangular, 



ending in very acute points, as also the indentures on the edges of 



the leaves. The flowers are axillary in small heads. 'J'he fruit is 



of the same shape and colour as those of the first, but smaller. This 



