I.] 



CRASSULA.CE.E. 



159 



development of ovules, which are, normally, buds borne 

 upon the margin of a carpellary leaf. 



27. Natural Order Ribesiaceae. The Currant Family. 



DISTRIBUTION. North Temperate Zone and the 



Andes of South America. One British genus, species, 4. 



Shrubs. Flowers regular. Stamens 4 or 5. Pistil syncarpous, 

 monogynous. Placentas parietal. 



Type Common Gooseberry (Ribes Grossularid). 

 A prickly deciduous shrub, with small drooping greenish 

 flowers, and baccate fruit. 



OBSERVE the prickles usually immediately underneath 

 the leaves of Gooseberry, in aspect and position recalling 

 the spines of Barberry, (page 116). In Gooseberry, how- 

 ever, they are local epidermal appendages, analogous to 

 bristles and hairs. 



Black and Red Currants belong to the same genus 

 as Gooseberry, but the dried currants of shops are the 

 fruit of a small-fruited variety of the Grape-vine ( Vilis 

 viniferd). 



28. Natural Order. Saxifragaceae. The Saxifrage 

 Family. 



DISTRIBUTION. Temperate Zone and cooler inter- 

 tropical regions of both hemispheres. British genera, 4, 

 species 19. 



