IIL] ASCLEPIADACE/E. 239 



A small erect perennial, everywhere in gardens, with 

 opposite, entire, obtuse leaves, and pretty, axillary, rose or 

 white flowers in pairs. 



Observe the twisted asstivation of the corolla-lobes, and 

 their slight obliquit}', common in the Family : the hom-- 

 glass narrowing of the stigma : the carpels, with the ovaries 

 free, but the styles coherent, an unusual condition. The 

 reverse condition, with coherent ovaries and free st}'les, 

 is much more prevalent in s^mcarpous flowers. A pair 

 of small glands alternate with the carpels upon the 

 receptacle. 



Compare with the fruit of Vinca, consisting of two fol- 

 licles, that of Carissa Carandas (a very spinous shrub, 

 serving for hedges), a two-celled beny^ used in tarts, pre- 

 serves, &:c.j and Oti AHajnanda, a Brazilian climber, common 

 in gardens, with large yellow flowers, and a one-celled fruit 

 with parietal seeds. 



The Dogbanes constitute a large Family, principally 

 tropical, and many of them with very gay flowers. They 

 abound in a milky juice, which is often poisonous. It is 

 collected from a few species for the sake of the caoutchouc 

 which it contains. The Madagascar Ordeal-tree {Tan- 

 ghinia) belongs to this Family. It is said that the kernel of 

 a single fruit suffices to poison twent}' people. The Oleander 

 {Nerium)^ of which one species is grown in India, is also 

 poisonous. Many species afi"ord useftd medicines. 



60. Natural Order, AsdepiadacecR. — The Asclepias Family. 



Shrubs or herbs, often climbing, with opposite entire 

 leaves. Flowers regular. Anthers coherent; pollen-masses 

 adhering to the stigma. Carpels two, usually free below. 



