EPACKIDACEJE COLTJMELLIACE.S. 447 



the axis of fleshy albumen; cotyledons very short; radicle long, inferior. 

 Shrubby plants, with alternate, undivided, exstipulate leaves. They 

 are closely allied to Ericaceae, and differ from that order chiefly in their 

 adherent (inferior) ovary. They are natives of temperate regions, and 

 some of them are marsh plants. Some are astringent, others yield sub- 

 acid edible fruits. Cranberries are produced by Vaccinium Oocycoccus 

 (Oxy coccus palustris of some), and V. macrocarpum. V. Vitis-idcea, 

 Bed Whortleberry, or Cowberry, yields a fruit which is often used 

 as a substitute for Cranberries. The leaves of the plant are sometimes 

 used to adulterate Uva-Ursi. V. uliginosum, found in alpine districts, 

 produces the black Whortleberry. Vaccinium myrtillus, yields the 

 Bilberry or Blaeberry. There are 15 genera of the order, and 200 

 species. Examples Vaccinium, Oxycoccus, Thibaudia. 



929. Order 115. Epacridaccw, the Epacris Family. (Monopet. 

 Hypog.) Calyx 5- rarely 4-parted, often coloured, persistent. Co- 

 rolla inserted at the base of the calyx, or hypogynous, deciduous or 

 marcescent, monopetalous, sometimes separable into 5 petals; limb 

 with 5, rarely 4, equal divisions, sometimes by the cohesion of the 

 segments, bursting transversely; aestivation imbricated or valvate. 

 Stamens inserted with or on the corolla, equal in number to, and 

 alternate with its segments, rarely fewer; anthers 1-celled (fig. 327), 

 without appendages, opening longitudinally; pollen round, or formed 

 of three united grains, attached to a single central receptacle. Ovary 

 sessile, free, multilocular, rarely unilocular, surrounded by scales at 

 the base; ovules solitary or 00; style 1; stigma simple, sometimes 

 toothed. Fruit drupaceous, baccate, or capsular. Seeds albuminous; 

 embryo slender, in the axis of fleshy albumen, and about half its length. 

 Shrubs, or small trees, with alternate, rarely opposite, exstipulate 

 leaves, which are sometimes half-amplexicaul at the base. They are 

 allied to Ericaceae, and seem to occupy the place of heaths in Australia. 

 They are distinguished from heaths by the structure of their anthers. 

 They are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers. In some cases 

 they yield edible fruits. One of the plants, called Native Currant in 

 Australia, is Leucopogon Richei. The order has been divided into two 

 sections: 1. Epacreas, polyspermous. 2. Stypheliese, monospermous. 

 There are thirty known genera, and 320 species, according to Lindley. 

 Examples Epacris, Sprengelia, Styphelia, Leucopogon, Lissanthe. 



930. Order 116. Coinmeiuacete, the Columellia Family. (Monopet. 

 Epygn.) Calyx superior, quinquepartite. Corolla rotate, inserted 

 into the calyx, 5-8-parted; aestivation imbricate. Stamens 2, in- 

 serted in the throat of the corolla; anthers roundish, 3-lobed, extrorse, 

 each consisting of six linear sinuous cells, arranged in pairs, dehiscing 

 longitudinally, and attached to a 3-lobed fleshy connective. Disk 

 fleshy, perigynous. Ovary adhering to the calycine tube, 2-celled ; 

 ovules 00; style simple, smooth; stigma capitate, 2-lobed. Fruit, a 



