GERANIACE^E LINAGES. 385 



lower leaves opposite, the upper ones alternate (fig. 221). Flowers in 

 racemes, which are often opposite the leaves; floral peduncles some- 

 times becoming cirrhose. They inhabit the milder as well as the 

 hotter parts of both hemispheres, and abound in the West Indies. 

 There are 7 genera and 260 species. Examples Vitis, Cissus, Leea. 



814. The plants of this order have generally acid leaves, and their 

 fruit, when ripe, is saccharine. Vitis vinifera, the Grape Vine, be- 

 longs to this order. It is said to be a native of the shores of the 

 Caspian, whence it was imported into Europe. The unripe fruit con- 

 tains a harsh acid juice, called verjuice. It contains free citric, 

 malic, and tartaric acids, along with bitartrate of potass. As grapes 

 ripen, sugar, called Grape-sugar, is formed at the expense of the acids 

 (IT 304). The Vessels of the Vine are large (fig. 61), and the sap passes 

 through them with great force and rapidity. When cut in spring 

 the plant bleeds freely. 



815. Order 48. Geraniaccre, the Cranesbill Family. (Potypet. 

 Hypog.) Sepals 5, persistent, more or. less unequal (figs. 307, 347 cc), 

 one sometimes spurred at the base; aestivation imbricated. Petals 5 

 (or by abortion 4), unguiculate, with contorted aestivation (figs. 307, 

 347 p p). Stamens monadelphous, hypogynous (figs. 307, 347 e), 

 twice or thrice as many as the petals, some occasionally abortive. 

 Ovary of 5 carpels, placed round an elongated axis (fig. 307 t); ovules 

 pendulous, solitary; styles 5, cohering round the axis (fig. 307 0). 

 Fruit formed of 5 one-seeded coccoons, terminated each by an indu- 

 rated style, which curls upwards, carrying the coccus or pericarp 

 with it (fig. 455). Seeds exalbuminoiis, solitary, with a curved folded 

 embryo, and leafy, convolute, and plaited cotyledons (fig. 511). Herbs 

 or shrubs with simple, stipulate leaves, which are either opposite, or 

 alternate with peduncles opposite to them. They are distributed over 

 various parts of the world. The species of Pelargonium abound at 

 the Cape of Good Hope. Lindley mentions 4 genera, including, after 

 separating hybrids, about 500 species. Examples Geranium, Pelar- 

 gonium. 



816. The name Cranesbill is derived from the long beak-like pro- 

 longation of the axis, or what is called the carpophore (^[ 437). The 

 plants of this order are astringent and aromatic. The tuberous or 

 moniliform roots of some, such as Pelargonium triste (fig. 123), are 

 eatable. The species of Pelargonium are remarkable for the beauty 

 of their flowers. By the art of the gardener, and by hybridization, 

 many fine varieties of Pelargonium have been produced. 



817. Order 49. Linaccic, the Flax Family. (Polypet. Hypog.) 

 Sepals 3, 4, or 5, persistent, with an imbricated aestivation. Petals 

 3, 4, or 5, fugitive, unguiculate, hypogynous, with a twisted sestiva- 

 tion. Stamens equal to the petals and alternate with them (with 

 intermediate teeth or abortive stamens), arising from a hypogynous 



2c 



