EUPHORBIACE^E. SPURGE TRIBE. 549 



(fimpetrum nigrum\ though, of an unpleasant flavour, 

 are eaten in the Arctic regions, and are considered as a 

 preventive of scurvy. 



1. EMPETRUM (Crow-berry). Perianth of 3 outer and 

 3 inner scales. (Name in Greek signifying growing on 

 a rock.) 



1. EMPETRUM (Crow-berry). 



1. E. nigrum (Black Crow-berry, Crake-berry). The 

 only British species ; abundant on mountainous heaths 

 in the North. A small, prostrate shrub, with the habit 

 of a Heath. The stems are much branched ; the leaves 

 are oblong, very narrow, and have their margins so much 

 recurved as to meet at the back ; the flowers are small 

 and purplish, growing in the axils of the upper leaves. 

 The berries, which are black, are much eaten by moor- 

 fowl. Fl. May. Perennial. 



ORD. LXXYI. EUPHOEBIACE^:. SPURGE TRIBE. 



Stamens and pistils in separate flowers ; perianth lobed, 

 with various scales or petal-like appendages ; stamens 

 varying in number and arrangement ; ovary mostly 3- 

 celled, with as many styles and stigmas ; fruit generally 

 3-celled and 3-seeded. A large order, very difficult to 

 be defined even by the experienced botanist, and, there- 

 fore, very likely to puzzle the beginner, who must not be 

 disheartened if he is a long while in reducing to their 

 place in the system those plants belonging to it which 

 he first meets with. Linnaean botanists differ as to the 

 Class in which the Spurges should be placed ; nor is it 

 agreed upon to which Sub-class in the Natural System 

 they should be referred ; for, though the European species 

 have only a single perianth, many of the tropical genera 

 are undoubtedly furnished with both sepals and petals. 

 The order contains nearly 200 genera, and it is necessary 

 to examine many of these, before the relation can be 



