POPULAR SKETCH OP 



America, Japan, and India. They have no important properties. There are 3 genera 

 and 25 species. 



79. Myrtaceae, MYRTLES. Trees or shrubs, natives of warm climates, but many 

 are found in temperate regions, while some of the genera are peculiar to Australia. 

 There are 77 known genera, and upwards of 1,400 species. Many of these plants 

 yield an aromatic volatile oil; many supply edible fruits; and others furnish astringent 

 and saccharine substances. The leaves of some species are used as tea in Australia. 

 The species of Eucalyptus constitute the gigantic gum trees of Australia, some of 

 which attain a height of 200 feet. (Figs. 41, 42, 43, 44.) 



80. Onagraceae, EVENING PRIMROSES. Herbs or shrubs, of temperate regions 

 chiefly. Some yield edible fruits, and others edible roots. Many of them possess 

 mucilaginous properties, while a few are astringent. There are about 30 known 

 genera, and upwards of 450 species. 



81. HalprageaceaB, MARES-TAILS. Herbs or undershrubs, often aquatic, and 

 found in ditches and lakes in various parts of the world. They have no properties of 

 importance. 8 genera, 70 species. 



,, 82. Loasaceae, CHILI NETTLES. Herbaceous plants, natives of America, and dis- 

 tinguished for their stinging qualities. 15 genera, and 70 species. 



83. Cucurbit aceae, CUCURBITS. Herbaceous plants, with succulent stems. They 

 are natives^ of warm climates chiefly, and abound in India. 60 genera, and about 300 

 species. These plants are acrid, and many of them are drastic purgatives. In some 

 cases, however, the fruits are eatable, as the Melon, Cucumber, Gourd, and Vegetable 

 Marrow. (Fig. 45.) 



84. Papayaceae, PAPAYADS. Trees or shrubs, found in South America, and other 

 warm countries. The Papa w- tree (Fig. 46) yields an acrid milky juice, which has the 

 property of rendering tough meat tender; and an edible fruit. There are 11 genera, 

 and 29 species. 



85. Belvisiaceae, BELVISIAS, or NAPOLEON-WORTS. Shrubs, of the tropical regions 

 of Africa chiefly. There are 2 genera, and 4 species. Some are used as astringents. ' 



86. Passifloraceae, PASSION-FLOWERS. Herbs or shrubs, natives chiefly of warm 

 climates. There are 14 known genera, and 215 species. Many of the plants yield 

 edible fruits; others are hitter and astringent; and some narcotic (Fig. 47). 



87. Turneraceae, TURKERADS. Herbaceous or shrubby plants, natives of the West 

 Indies, and South America. Their properties are unimportant. Lindley notices 2 

 genera, including 60 species. 



88. Portulacaceae, PURSLANES. Succulent shrubs or herbs found in various parts of 

 the world. They have few properties of importance. There are 12 genera, and 184 species. 



89. ParonycMaceae, KNOTWORTS. Herbaceous or shrubby plants, found in barren 

 places in various parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Their properties are 

 unimportant. 28 genera, 120 species. 



90. CrassulaceaB, HOUSELEEKS. Herbaceous plants or shrubs, often succulent, 

 found in the driest situations, as on rocks, walls, &c., in various parts of the world. 

 25 genera, 460 species. 



91. Ficoideae, FICOIDS. Herbaceous or shrubby succulent plants, found generally 

 in warm regions. There are 16 known genera, and 440 species. Some are used as 

 food; others yield soda. 



92. Cactaceae, CACTUSES. Succulent shrubs, with peculiar angular or flattened 

 stems, and usually without leaves. They grow in hot, dry, and exposed places, and 

 are natives chiefly of the tropical parts of America. There are 16 genera, and about 

 800 species. These plants are remarkable for their succulence, for their great develop- 

 ment of cellular tissue, and the anomalous forms of their stems. Many yield a re- 

 freshing edible fruit (Fig. 48). 



93. GrossalariaceaB, GOOSEBERRY and CURRANT TRIBE. Shrubs of temperate 

 regions, many of which yield edible fruits. 3 genera, 100 species. 



94. SaxifragaceaB, SAXIFRAGES. Trees, shrubs, or herbs, of temperate climates. 

 There are 57 genera, and upwards of 900 s'pecies. Few of the plants are put to any use. 



95. Bruniaceae, BRUNIADS. Branched heath-like shrubs, natives chiefly of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, with no important properties. 15 genera, 65 species. 



96. Hamainelidacese, WITCH-HAZELS. Shrubs or small trees, found in various 

 parts of Asia, Africa, and America. The seeds of Hamamelis virginica are used as 

 food. 10 genera, 15 species. 



97. UmbelliferaBj UMBELLIFERS. Herbaceous plants, often with hollow and fur- 

 rowed stems. Found chiefly in the northern hemisphere. There are 267 genera, 

 including 1,500 species. The properties of these plants are various. Some yield food, 

 others gum, resinous, and oily substances, while others are highly poisonous. The 

 species have been grouped into four divisions : 1. The esculent species, as the Carrot, 

 Parsnip, Celery, Parsley, &c. 2. Those producing milky juices, which concrete into a 



