DICOTYLEDONS LAURACE^E DIAGRAM 15. 189 



the sides of this cavity we can distinguish an 

 immense number of very small dull-coloured 

 flowers, like those of other urticacese. These 

 are male and female. The pistils of the latter 

 become the seeds which we find in dried figs. 

 As they ripen, the sides of the pouch thicken, 

 the orifice above closes ; and the well-known 

 sweet fruit is the result. 



The family Urticaceae derives its name from the Latin name for 

 the nettle. 



FAMILY LAURACB^. 



This family is much less important than the preceding, and 

 includes in addition to the laurel, from which it derives its name, 

 the trees which yield cinnamon, nutmegs, and camphor. The plants 

 of this family are, therefore, like the labiatse, chiefly aromatic 

 plants, or rather trees. 



The true Laurel is the tree which is generally called in England 

 the bay-tree. Its leaves are used as a flavouring on the Continent. 

 It is an evergreen shrub, which grows to a height of thirty feet. 

 The flowers are small and inconspicuous, with four or five divisions, 

 and nine stamens. Their pollen-sacs have small valves, which 

 open to allow the pollen to escape. 



In ancient times, victors at the public games, etc., were crowned 

 with laurel. Our term poet-laureate owes its origin to this custom. 

 The fruit of this tree is a small berry. 



The Cherry-laurel, generally called the laurel in England, is a 

 handsome shrub with large dark-green leaves. It seldom grows, 

 to a great height. It is an evergreen, and bears a spike of pretty 

 white flowers, but does not flower till it is several years old. Its 

 leaves, when bruised, have a very pleasant odour, which is due to 



