194 DICOTYLEDONS CRUCIFER^E DIAGRAM 14. 



inserted on the calyx, which is formed of 

 a single thick fleshy piece. There are 

 sometimes several pistils and sometimes 

 only one, according to whether the fruit is 

 to produce several seeds, like the rose, 

 Wild Rose. t j ie s t raw berry, and the raspberry ; or 



only one, like the plum and the almond. 



The double rose is not simply a garden plant, but is cultivated 

 extensively in some countries to extract from it the precious oil 

 called attar of roses. Whole fields are planted with roses ; the 

 petals are collected, and they extract, by squeezing them, a few 

 drops of this essence, which is always very dear, but which has a 

 very powerful odour. 



The Apple is not only the most valuable of all fruits, but in some 

 parts of England it is made into a drink called cider. The apples 

 are peeled and pressed, and the extracted juice is allowed to 

 ferment. 



FAMILY CRUCIFERffi. 



[ DIAGRAM 14. ] 



All the plants of the family Cruciferae have much general re- 

 semblance, but most of them are small herbs. It includes the 

 muxtard, the rape, the callage, the turnip, the radish, and the 

 rocket. We have already described the flower of the rocket in 

 detail (see p. 172, diagram 9); all the others resemble it, and are 

 composed of four petals arranged in the form of a cross ; hence the 

 family derives its name Cruciferae, " Cross Bearers." The Cruciferaa 

 have generally four long, and two short stamens. The fruit is a 

 capsule with two valves, but has two divisions separated by a parti- 

 tion, while in the fruit of the family Leguminosae there is no film. 



The Cruciferse are especially food-plants ; and are also very 

 wholesome. We eat the root of the radish, turnip-radish, and 



