548 HENSLOVIACE.— CUNONIACE#.—-RIBESIACE. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives chiefly of the temperate 
regions of Asia and America. About one-half of the species 
are natives of China and Japan. Tllustrative Genera :— 
Hydrangea, DC.; Bauera, Sm. There are about 45 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Unimportant. 
Hydrangea.—The leaves of Hydrangea Thunbergii are used in Japan as 
tea, and this tea is so highly valued by the Japanese that they call it 
Ama-tsja, or the Tea of Heaven. The root of H. arborescens, under the 
name of Leven Bark or Wild Hydrangea, is largely employed in the United 
States in calculous complaints. 
Order 9. HENSLOVIACES, the Henslovia Order. — Diagnosis. — 
This is a small order of tropical plants containing but 1 genus, 
and 3 or 4 species, which is considered by Lindley to be nearly 
allied to Hydrangeacez ; but distinguished by their tree-like 
habit, their styles being united into a cylinder, and in the total’ 
absence of albumen. JTilustrative Genus :—Henslovia, Wall. 
Properties and Uses.—Unknown. 
Order 10. CunontacE&, the Cunonia Order.—Diagnosis.— 
Nearly allied to Saxifragacee, but differing from them in being 
trees or shrubs, with opposite or whorled leaves, and large in- 
terpetiolar stipules. The latter character will also distinguish 
them readily from Hydrangeacez, which are exstipulate. They 
are also known from the latter order by their calyx not being 
valvate. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of South America, the 
Cape, the East Indies, and Australia. Illustrative Genera :— 
Weinmannia, Linn.; Cunonia, Linn. There are about 100 
species. 
Properties and Uses.—Astringent. Some have been used for 
tanning; others exude a gummy secretion. 
Order 11. Rreestaces&, the Currant Order.—Character.— 
Shrubs with (fig. 384) or without spines or prickles. Leaves 
alternate, simple, lobed, radiate-veined. Flowers axillary, race- 
mose, perfect or rarely unisexual. Calyx superior, 4—5-lobed. 
Petals 4—5, minute, inserted on the calyx. Stamens 4—5, peri- 
gynous, alternate with the petals. Ovary inferior, 1-celled, with 
2 parietal placentas (fig. 718, pl). Fruit a berry (figs. 718 and 
719). Seeds numerous ; embryo minute, in horny albumen. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of the temperate regions 
of Europe, Asia, and North America. Illustratiwe Genera :— 
Ribes, Linn. ; Polyosma, Br. These are the only genera ; 
which include about 100 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Some are showy garden plants, as Ribes 
fuchsioides, R. sanguineum, R. aureum, R. coccinewm ; but they 
are chiefly remarkable for their agreeable acid fruits. Thus, 
the fruit of Ribes Grossularia is the Gooseberry ; R. rubrum and 
its varieties yield both Red and White Currants ; and R. nigrum 
is the Black Currant. 
