76 MEDICINAL HERBS AXD POISOXOUS PLANTS 



to reiueiuber that in all perigynous floAvevs the stamens 

 are not in contact with the ovary. This is shown in 

 fig. 7, In hypogynous flowers the stamens arise from 

 just underneath the ovary, whilst in the epigynous 

 flowers the stamens arise from the upper part of the 

 ovary. A flower, therefore, which shows joerigyny in 

 addition to the possession of free petals and numerous 

 stamens can be safely regarded as a member of the 

 Rosaceee. The main divisions of this important family 

 are the following: 



I. The Almond Group (Amyg^dalese). 



Characteristics : — 



Pistil 



1 carpel (fig. 5, b). 



Fruit, a dru^ye — that is, tlie single seed is enclosed 

 by two envelopes, the inner hard, the outer soft. 



All are shrubs or trees, and 

 will therefore receive treat- 

 ment in Chapter X. 



II. Meadow - sweet Group 

 (Spireidse). — In the leaflet 

 issued by the Board of Agri- 

 culture and Fisheries it is 

 stated that a larger quantity 

 than usual of the Meadow- 

 sweet (Spircea Ulmaria) will 

 need 



season. The leaves are pin- 

 nate (i.e. paired), the alter- 

 nate pairs being smaller (tig. 

 43); the flowers are yellowish' 

 white and very fragrant. The 

 herb is very common on moist meadows. The flowers 

 yield a fragrant distilled water, Avhilst the loots arc 

 astringent. 



to be gathered next 



Fig. -iS.^riiuiate Leaves of 

 Meadow- sweet 



