DICOTYLEDONS AMPELIDE^E DIAGRAM 14. 195 



turnip ; and the large bud which surmounts the cabbage-stalk. 

 The cauliflower is a cruciferous plant with very crowded and 

 aborted flowers, while their stalks have become monstrously 

 developed by cultivation. The seed of the rape is pressed to 

 extract colza oil. The essence which causes mustard to irritate 

 the eyes and tongue, does not exist in the seed itself, and is only 

 formed when water is added to flour of mustard. If we taste 

 flour of mustard before mixing it with warm water, and afterwards, 

 we shall easily perceive the difference. 



FAMILY AMPELIDE^B. 

 [ DIAGRAM 14 ] 



The only plant of this family which we shall mention is the 

 Vine. Its flowers have a calyx with five teeth. The corolla has 

 five petals, but they do not open ; they are soldered together at 

 the top, and detach themselves like a small bell, which falls off 

 immediately. There are also five stamens. The well-known fruit 

 is a berry with about four seeds or stones. The vine is universally 

 cultivated throughout Central and Southern Europe, but is no 

 longer grown in England to any extent, except in greenhouses, 

 for the fruit does not ripen well in our cool summers ; and scarcely 

 any grape-wine is now made in England, though the vine .was 

 largely cultivated for this purpose in the middle ages. 



It is sometimes supposed that the difference between red and 

 white wine depends on the colour of the grapes from which it is 

 made ; but it really depends on the preparation. The juice is 

 pressed out of the grapes, and allowed to ferment, and thus 

 becomes wine. The refuse is then distilled to make brandy and 

 other alcoholic drinks. 



Wine is an excellent drink in moderation, but the use of 



