496 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



duplicate ; inserted on a disk which surrounds the ovary, 

 caducous. Stamens corresponding in number to the petals and 

 opposite to them, also inserted on the disk {fig. 506); filaments 

 distinct, or somewhat coherent at the base ; anthers versatile, 

 bursting longitudinally (^^. 506). Ovary superior, 2— 6-celled, 

 usually 2 ; style very short, simple ; stigma simple {fig. 506). 

 Fruit succulent {fig. 700), commonly termed a nuculanium, 

 usually 2-celled. Seeds erect, few, usually 2 in each cell; 

 festo bony; albumen haxdi-, embryo erect; rarfic/e inferior. 



Diagnosis. — Shrubby plants, with simple or compound leaves, 

 which are opposite below, and alternate above. Flowers small, 

 green, regular. Petals and stamens corresponding in number, 

 4 or 5, the latter opposite to the petals, both inserted on a 

 hypogynous disk ; estivation of petals induplicate ; anthers 

 opening longitudinally. Ovary superior, with a very short 

 simple style and stigma ; placentas axile. Fruit a nuculanium. 

 Seeds few ; testa bony ; embryo erect in horny albumen. 



Distribution, ^c. — The plants of this order are found in 

 warm and tropical regions of the globe. None are natives of 

 Europe. The common Grape Vine, which is now completely 

 naturalised in the south of Europe, and is cultivated nearly all 

 over the globe where the temperature does not rise too high or 

 fall too low, is supposed to be a native of the shores of the 

 Caspian. Examples : — Cissus, Vitis, Ampelopsis, Leea. Some 

 of the genera are not well defined. There are probably 8 

 genera, including 260 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The leaves, stems, and unripe fniits of 

 this order abound more or less in an acid juice, the acidity being 

 chiefly due to the presence of tartaric acid and bitartrate of 

 potash. As the fruit ripens, it generally loses its acidity, and 

 becomes sweet, owing to the formation of Glucose or Grape 

 Sugar. The more important plants are as follows : — 



Cissus — The leaves and fruits of some species, as C. setosa, C. cordata, &c., 

 are acrid. A blue dye is obtained in Brazil from tiie leaves and fruit of 

 C. tinctoria. 



Ampelopsis (Cissus) — Tiie sppcies of this genus constitute the well-known 

 climbing shrubs called Virginian Creepers. They are remarkable for their 

 foliage assuming a crimson colour in the autumn, and from their peculiarly 

 constructed tendrils. 



Fitis viuifera. — This plant, commonly known as the Grape Vine, has fol- 

 lowed the steps of man into almost every region of the globe where the climate 

 is at all adapted to its growth. The varieties of the Vine are exceedingly 

 numerous, being more than 3(i0. The fruits, under the name of Grapes, are 

 too well known to need any particular description. They have been in use 

 for more than 4000 years for the making of wine, &c. Grapes when dried are 

 called raisins. Of raisins we iiave several commercial varieties, the more 

 important of which are Valentias, Malagas, Muscatels, Sultanas, and Smvrnas. 

 The Muscatels or Kaisins of the Sun, are considered the finest. The Sultanas 

 are remarkable for the absence of seeds. About 12,000 tons of the al.ove 

 varieties are annually imported. Besides the above kinds, there is also a 

 small variety of raisin, commonly known under the name of Currants; this 

 name is a corruption of Corinth, where they were originally grown, but they 

 are now obtained from Zante,and several other of the Greek Islands. About 

 20,000 tons are annually imported. 



