104 History of Hlnyham. 



27. CRASSULACEiE. (STONE-CROP FAMILY.) 



Herbs, represented in Hingham by two genera, — Penthorum 

 and Seduni. The plants of the latter are very succulent. The 

 Houselcek, Sempervivum tectorum, well known by its thick, 

 fleshy leaves, belongs to this order. None of the species have 

 noxious qualities. 



Penthorum, Gronov. 



sedoides, L. Stoue-crop. 

 Sedum, Tourn. 



acre. L. Mossy Stoue-crop. 



Telepldum, L. Live-forever. 



28. DROSERACEiE. (SUNDEW FAMILY.) 



Delicate, small plants occurring in boggy grounds, and gener- 

 ally covered with glandular hairs. One species of this family, 

 the Diomea muscipula, a native of North Carolina, is the cele- 

 brated Venus's Flytrap, which has glands that exude a secretion 

 of a character to attract flies. As soon as one alights upon the 

 lobes of the leaf, which has projecting processes, they close upon 

 the unfortunate insect. 



Excepting a slight bitterness, the plants of this family have 

 no marked qualities. 



Drosera, L. 



- rotundifolia, L. Round-leaved Sundew, 

 intermedia, Hayne, var. Americana, D C. 



29. HAMAMELIDEJE. (WjTCH-HaZEL FaMTLY.) 



Trees and shrubs. The well-known tree, the Witch Hazel, is 

 common in our damp woods. It is peculiar in blossoming late 

 in autumn, when the wintry winds betoken early death to the 

 flowers, and in not maturing its fruit until the succeeding sum- 

 mer. The divining rods of those who seek metals or water in 

 the earth through their agency are formed from the small 

 branches of this tree ; hence the common name. The plants of 

 the family are harmless. An extract of one species is much used 

 as a medicine externally, and sometimes internally, with reputed 

 advantage. 



Hamamelis, L. 



Virginiana, L. Witch-Hazel. 



30. HALORAGE5I. (WATER-MlLFOIL FAMILY.) 



Water and swamp plants, with inconspicuous flowers, having 

 no noticeable properties. 



Myriophyllum, Vaill. 



ambiguum, Nutt. Water Milfoil. 

 ambiguum, Nutt., var. limosum, Torr. 



