BEEBEBEY BABBENWOET. 27 



The fifth order is that of the BEBBEEIDS (Berberis vulgaris, 

 Plate II., fig. 1). We have but two British families in it. 

 Sepals, from three to six, falling off; and petals either the 

 same or double the number ; stamens equalling the petals in 

 number, and anthers opening by valves, and so discharging the 

 pollen. The Berberry shrub, so ornamental whether in flower 

 or fruit, is the familiar representative of the order. It grows 

 freely in some of our Yorkshire woods, and in many other 

 counties. The pendant clusters of yellow flowers appear in 

 May, each bunch guarded by a three-pronged thorn. The sta- 

 mens are curiously sensitive ; if you touch them lightly at the 

 base with a straw or a pin the stamen contracts, and the anther 

 bends forward and strikes against the stigma. The strange 

 sensitiveness is probably a provision of nature, securing that if 

 any insect walk round the flower each anther touches the 

 stigma, the collision probably causing the valves to open, and 

 thus discharging the fertilising pollen. This shrub is liable to a 

 tiny fungus, which appears in clusters like an orange blot on the 

 leaves. In former days it was thought that the Berberry blight 

 gave rise to smut and bunt, the destructive diseases of corn ; 

 and farmers would not suffer the Berberry in their hedge-rows. 

 The berries make a fine preserve, and, when merely kept in 

 salt, they form a pretty garnish for savoury dishes. 



The Barrenwort (Epimedium alpinum, Plate II., fig. 2), is the 

 other British member of this order. My specimen was gathered 

 near Frome, in Somersetshire ; but I am told that it is no 

 longer found there. It may still be occasionally met with 

 among the Pentland Hills, near Edinburgh. It has four petals 

 of a crimson colour, four hollow yellow nectaries lying upon 

 the petals, which form the figure of a Maltese cross, and four 

 stamens. The foliage is very handsome, the leaflets are in 

 clusters of nine, they are slender, heart-shaped, bright green, 

 and fringed. The kind, genial old botanist who first introduced 

 me to this plant said he called it the " Happy Medium," in 

 fanciful allusion to its botanical name. 



