THE CABBAGE FAMILY. 



113 



student, while the uses it subserves make it important to all. Not a 

 single unwholesome plant occurs in it, while very many species form 

 excellent articles of food, as cabbage, " greens " of nearly all kinds, 

 the cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, sea-kale, water-cresses, and the 

 pungent radish. The general properties of the family are stimulant 

 and antiscorbutic, with now and then a little acridity superadded. 

 Mustai'd and horseradish, in which the acrid matter is somewhat con- 

 centrated, become, on this account, agreeable condiments. The seeds 

 of many species contain abundance of oil. 



Fig. 102. 

 Cruciform flower. 



Fig. 101. 

 Spray of Sihques. 



Fig. 103. 

 Spray of Silicles. 



The principal seats of these plants are Northern Europe and Asia, 

 though they are scattered thinly nearly all over the world. Upwards 

 of 200 grow in the frigid zone, where they constitute a chief part of 

 the vegetation. Seventy species are indigenous to Britain, twenty- 

 eight of them growing spontaneously, or as colonists, about Man- 

 chester. Few of the latter have claim to beauty of aspect, and 

 most are weedy and small-flowered. They may be classed into yellow- 

 flowered, and white or lilac -flowered. 



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