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: 
4 
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/ 
1900 SUPPLEMENT—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &cC. 157 
BOTANY may be described as the Science which 
treats of Plants: their structure, functions of their parts, 
qualities, uses, nomenclature, and geographical distribu- 
tion. Accordingly.it is divided into Structural, Physi- 
ological, and Systematic. From a very early date Botany 
has been studied, but it was not until the time of 
Theophrastus (B.c. 324) and Pliny that any serious 
consideration was given to the subject. _ The Science 
progressed but slowly, notwithstanding the introduction 
of the microscope, until Ray, in 1686, issued his 
“Systema Plantarum.” To Linneus, however, belongs the 
greatest credit, for his “ Systema Nature,” in which the 
Artificial System of Botany was propounded. Later he, in 
part, worked out a natural one, which was modified 
by Jussieu, and afterwards by De Candolle, Lindley, and 
Bentham and Hooker, whose monumental labours are 
embodied in the “Genera Plantarum” of the present day. 
BOTHERBE. Asynonym of Calydorea (which see). 
BOTHRIOCHILUS. A synonym of Ceelia (which see). 
BOTRYADENIA. A synonym of Myriactis (which 
see). 
BOTRYANTHUS. Included under Muscari (which 
see). 4 
BOTRYCERAS (from botrys, a bunch, and keras, a 
horn ; in reference to the incurved, pectinate branches of 
the female inflorescence). Syns. Daphnitis, Lawrophyllus. 
Orp. Anacardiacezy. A monotypic genus. The species, 
B. laurinum, is a greenhouse, evergreen tree or shrub, 
native of South Africa. It has been introduced, but is 
probably not now in cultivation. : 
BOTRYCHIUM contains some very curious plants, 
all deciduous; but they are seldom seen in cultivation, 
probably on account of the difficulties experienced in 
keeping them through the winter, when they should not on 
any account be allowed to get dry, or death will speedily 
and assuredly ensue. They are of little use as pot-plants, 
but their fertile fronds have a very pleasing appearance 
among other Ferns when grown in the rockery, in which 
case they should be planted in some naturally damp nook 
where they are not likely to be disturbed, and where 
constant moisture may be secured for them while at rest. 
The difficulty in taking them up consists in getting the 
crowns with their roots, as they are generally found to be 
deeply imbedded in the ground. 
To induce Botrychiums to grow in a Fernery, they 
should be moved with about a square foot of the turf in 
which they are growing naturally, and as much of depth of 
the soil undisturbed. They like to have their roots covered 
with turf, though they shonld not be overshadowed by 
other vegetation. The plants succeed best in a compost of 
sandy loam and only a small portion of peat, and perfect 
drainage is essential. Propagation may be effected by 
division of the crowns. There is no record of seedlings 
having been raised artificially. 
B. lanuginosum (woolly). A variety of B. virginianum. 
B. virginianum lanuginosum (woolly). sterile segments 
slightly hairy. fertile peduncle rising from the centre of the 
barren frond, which the panicle scarcely overtops. 
BOTRYODENDRON. A synonym of Meryta 
(which see). 
BOTRYOID. Bonch-like; having the form of a 
bunch of Grapes. 
BOTRYTIS. Under this generic heading were at 
one time grouped a number of very destructive fungi 
whose spores are produced in clusters resembling miniature 
bunches of Grapes. Present-day plant pathologists now 
regard it as but a form-genus—one phase, in fact. in 
the life-history of the plants. Some of the most 
familiar of these Botrytis fungi are: the species of 
Sclerotinia, giving rise to the very destructive Lily 
disease—B. cinerea, a form of the much-dreaded 
Sclerotinia fuckeliana of the Vine, &c.; B. pxoniz, a form 
of S. pxoniz, responsible for the disease of Ponies, 
Botrytis—continued. 
characterised by a sudden collapse of the stems and the 
presence of a greyish-white mould; B. galanthina, a form 
of S. galanthina, which attacks Snowdrops; B. Douglasii,a 
form of S. Douglasii, found upon the shoots of the Donglas 
Fir; and several others. 
BOTTIONEA THYSANOTOIDES. The correct 
name of Trichopetalum stellatum (which see). 
BOUCEROSIA. Syns. Apteranthes, Desmidorchis, 
Hutchinia. About a dozen species have been recorded; 
they are found in India, Arabia, North Africa, Spain, 
and Sicily. In addition to those described on p. 205, 
Vol. IL, B. incarnata (Syn. Podanthes incarnata) and 
B. mammillaris (Syn. Stapelia pulla, B. M. 1648) have 
been introduced, but are probably lost to cultivation. 
BOUCHEA. Including Chascanum. This genus 
comprises sixteen or seventeen species, natives of the 
warmer parts of America, tropical and South Africa, and 
the western provinces of India. 
BOUGAINVILLZA. Syn. Josepha. This genus 
comprises seven or eight species of shrubs or small trees, 
rarely sarmentose or somewhat climbing, natives of 
tropical and sub-tropical South America. Flowers inserted 
below the middle of the bracts; perianth tubular, slightly 
curved; inflorescences solitary or fascicled, axillary or 
terminal. Leaves alternate, petiolate, rounded-ovate or 
elliptic-lanceolate, entire. To the species described on 
pp. 205-6, Vol. I., the following should be added: 
B. fastuosa (proud). A synonym of B. speciosa. 
Se Jabra Sanderiana (Sander’s). A very floriferous variety. 
B. refulgens (shining). //., bracts brilliant purple-mauve, pro- 
duced in long, pendulous racemes. 7. dark green, pubescent. 
Brazil, 1887. Stove. 
Fic. 179. BOUGAINVILL&A SPECTABILIS. 
