536 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. The leaves of Hydrangea 

 Thunhergii are used in Japan as tea, and this tea is so highly 

 valued by the Japanese, that they call it A^na-tsja or the Tea of 

 Heaven. The root of H. arborescens, under the name of Leven 

 Bark or Wild Hydrangea, is largely employed in some parts of 

 North America in calculous complaints. 



Natural Order 87- Hensloviaceje. — 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 Hydrangeacese. The chief differences 

 being in their tree-like habit ; in their styles being united into a 

 cylinder, and in the total absence of albumen. Example: — 

 Henslovia. Their properties and uses are unknown. 



Natural Order 88. CuNONiACEiE. — The Cunonia Order. — 

 Diagnosis. — Nearly allied to Saxifragacese, but differing from 

 them in being trees or shrubs, with opposite leaves, and large 

 interpetiolar stipules. The latter character will also distinguish 

 them readily from Hydrangeacese, which are exstipulate. 



Distribution, ^-c. — Natives of South America, the Cape, the 

 East Indies, and Australia. Examples of the Genera: — Wein- 

 mannia, Cunonia. There are about 100 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Astringent. Some have been used for 

 tanning; others exude a gummy secretion. 



Natural Order 89. Crassulaceje. — The Houseleek or Stone- 

 crop Order. — Character. — Succulent herbs or Shrubs. Leaves 

 entire or pinnatifid, exstipulate. Flowers usually cymose {fg. 

 410), symmetrical {figs. 7QQ and 767). Ca/^o; generally com- 

 posed of 5 sepals, but varying in number from 3 — 20, more or 

 less combined at the base, inferior (fig. 766, c), persistent. Petals 

 equal in number to the divisions of the calyx (fig. 766, p), with 

 which they are alternate, either distinct or cohering, and inserted 

 into the bottom of the calyx ; (estivation imbricated. Stamens 

 inserted with the petals {fig. 766, e), either equal to them in 

 number and alternate with them {fig. 766), or twice as many 

 {fig. 767), and then forming 2 whorls, one of which is composed 

 of longer stamens than the other ; the longer stamens are placed 

 alternate to the petals, and the shorter stamens opposite to 

 them ; anthers 2-celled with longitudinal dehiscence. Carpels 

 equal in number to the petals and opposite to them {fig. 766, o), 

 each having frequently a scale on the outside at the base {fig. 

 766, a), distinct or more or less united ; styles distinct. Fruit 

 either consisting of a whorl of follicles, or a capsule with locu- 

 licidal dehiscence. Seeds very small, variable in number; 

 embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen, with the radicle towards 

 the hilum. 



Diagnosis. — Succulent herbs or shrubs. Leaves exstipulatel 

 Flowers perfectly symmetrical, the sepals, petals, and carpels 

 being equal in number (3 — 20), and the stamens being also equal 



