188 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



often referred to by classical writers, and is interesting as being so nearly related to our 

 own Cornel or Dogwood. Homer mentions it as one of the trees that bear the coarsest 

 fruit, and represents Circe as throwing it with acorns and beech-mast to the companions 

 of Ulysses after slie had transformed them into swine. It is frequently and advanta- 

 geously cultivated in shrubberies in England. Gerarde, in 1597, says : " There be 

 sundrie trees of the cornel in the gardens of such as love rare and dainty plants, whereof 

 I have a tree or two in my garden." This tree was dedicated to Apollo, and has many 

 curious legends attached to it, which, however, do not concern our pi-esent si)ecies. 

 Parkinson tells us that the name Dogberry was given to the plant on account of the 

 bitter disagreeable taste of its berries, " which are not fit even for dogs." 



Sub-Class IV.— MONOPETAL^. 



Calyx free, or more or less adhering to the ovary. Sepals 

 generally more or less united, at least at the base. Petals in one 

 whorl, unlike the sepals, inserted on the calyx when this adheres 

 to the ovary, or on the torus, united into a monopetalous corolla, 

 rarely separate, sometimes absent. Stamens definite, inserted on 

 the calyx (epigynous) when the ovary is inferior, or on the corolla 

 (epipetalous) when the ovary is superior, rarely on the torus 

 (hypogynous). Ovary superior or inferior. 



OP.DER XXXVL— L ORANTHACE M.^ 



Evergreen shrubs, parasitic on the branches of trees, with very 

 few exceptions. Branches dichotomous, generally articulated at 

 the nodes, spreading in all directions. Leaves opposite, rarely 

 verticillate or alternate, more or less fleshy, entire, exstipulate, 

 sometimes obsolete. Elowers variously disposed, perfect and 

 brightly coloured, or unisexual and whitish or yellowish-green. 

 Calyx-tube bracteolate, adhering to the ovary ; limb obsolete, or 

 appearing as an entire or toothed ring at the summit of the ovary. 

 Corolla of 4 to 8 petals, sometimes free, but usually more or less 

 united into a monopetalous corolla, rarely absent, valvate in aesti- 

 vation. Stamens adhering to the base of the petals or lobes of the 

 corolla, and opposite to them. Ovary inferior, generally crowned 

 by an annular disk, 1-celled ; style simple, sometimes wanting ; 

 stigma capitate. Eruit a 1-seeded berry. Seed solitary ; albumen 

 fleshy ; embryos often more than 1 in each seed. 



* The real affinity of Loranthacese seems to be with the apetalous order 

 Santalacc£e. 



