NIGHTSHADES. 103 
Capparis or Caper-plants, ours the Capparis Mitchelli (or Bus- 
becquea Mitchelli) has the two outer sepals connate into a conic- 
or pyramidate-globular closed covering, which only gradually and 
irregularly bursts into two halves. The two inner sepals are 
petal-like ; thus the corolla appears to consist of six petals. The 
numerous free stamens, the long-stalked ovary, the berrylike 
large fruit and coiled embryo are formed on the model of the 
generality of the Caper-plants. These notes, supported by the 
illustration, may suffice for drawing attention to the Capparidez, 
as perhaps not even this remarkable Busbecquea-tree any longer 
exists within Victorian boundaries, the only locality here of its 
growth, near the junction of the Murray-River and Murrumbidgee 
being so very much denuded of its original vegetation by pastoral 
occupation, under which many of our rarest plants gradually 
succumb and totally disappear. 
Through the arid regions of Central Australia the Busbecquea- 
Caper of Sir Thomas Mitchell presents itself on many places, 
and has unfortunately received there the name of Native Orange- 
tree, though even the acrid pungent Caper-taste widely removes 
the fruit from any of orange-flavor. It should also in colonial 
language maintain the memory of the Belgian Nobleman A. G. 
de Busbecq, who as Ambassador of Charles V. in Turkey first 
rendered known many oriental plants. 
XVII.—THE NIGHTSHADES 
AND ALLIED PLANTS. 
In many of the foregoing pages some of the affinities and 
characteristics of plants with free petals were briefly discussed. 
Among those bearing fruits not adnate to the calyx, we became 
acquainted with Rutacez, Zygophyllee, Geraniacee, Malvacez, 
Sterculiacese, Tiliaceze, Ranunculacez, Dilleniacee, Monimiee, 
Menispermex, Droseraceze, Violaceze, Pittosporee, Crucifere, 
