Statistics. 195 



statistics of the Vegetable Kingdom, continued. 



About 40 distinct species of delphinium or larkspur are de- 

 scribed, few of which are cultivated, however. 



It is thought that there are about a half-dozen true species 

 of peonies known, although many supposed species have been 

 described. 



The Magnolia family comprises about 70 species of trees and 

 shrubs. Of these, 14 are magnolias proper, of which 6 or 7 are 

 native of Japan, China or the Himalaya region, and the remainder 

 are North American. The tulip-tree, of which but a single spe- 

 cies is known, belongs to this order. 



The Nymphaaaceas or Water-lily family contains 8 genera and 

 about 35 species, all aquatic. The -largest genus is nymphaea — 

 by some called castalia — comprising some 20 species. 



The Mustard family, Cruciferge, comprises probably about 

 3,000 species, many of w^hich are grown for food and ornament. 

 The cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, kohlrabi, radish, horse-radish, 

 sea-kale, cresses and mustards are the leading edible species, 

 while the stocks, alyssum, wallflower, honesty or lunaria are 

 among the ornamental species. There are over 175 genera in the 

 order. 



The Violet family comprises about 250 species, generally dis- 

 tributed over the world. Of these, about 200 are violets. The 

 order includes 21 genera. Some of the species, outside of viola 

 proper, are shrubs or small trees. 



The Caryophyllaceai or Pink family has about 1,000 species and 

 35 genera. The ornamental genera are dianthus, including the 

 pinks and carnation, saponaria, silene, lychnis and a few others 

 of less importance. Dianthus, literally ''Jove's flower," num- 

 bers some 200 species. The corn-cockle and catchflies belong to 

 this family. 



The Mallow family, Malvaceae, has about 60 genera and 700 

 species. The best-known genera are althsea, the hollyhock ; 

 malva, the mallows ; hibiscus ; abutilon ; and gossypium, the 

 cotton. 



The Basswoods or Lindens are 8 in number, growing in north- 

 ern temperate climates. Three are natives of North America. 

 Tiliaceae, the Basswood family, comprises 40 genera and about 

 330 species. 



