ROSE SUB-FAMILIES. 69 



and we may further define them by saying 

 that they have regular flowers, with the dis- 

 tinct stamens and petals borne on the calyx 

 tube and the pistil or pistils superior. The 

 greatest differences in the structure of the 

 flowers we have seen to lie in the adhesion 

 of calyx tube and pistils, or calyx tube and 

 receptacle, and in the odd forms of the re- 

 ceptacle rather than in the pistils or fruits 

 themselves. 



We may divide the Rose family into three 

 sub-orders or sub-families : — 



Almond Suh- Family. — Comprising 

 plants whose flowers bear mostly one pistil, 

 to which the cal}Tc tube is not united, a nor- 

 mal receptacle, and which produce stone- 

 fruits or drupes. Here are included almonds, 

 peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries, and 

 plums. 



Rose Siih-Family. — Pistils usually many, 

 distinct, not becoming large in fruit, and not 

 united with the calyx tube, the receptacle 

 often peculiarly developed. In this sub- 

 family may be included the roses, strawber- 

 ries, blackberries, raspberries, and spiraeas. 



Pear Sub-Family. — Pistils united with 

 each other and with the calyx tube, which be- 

 comes thick and fleshy at maturity. Here 



