132 THALAMIFLORJS. 



There are also two varieties of this species. 

 Var. a. pyriformis ; Barbadoes Grape Fruit. 

 Var. j3. maliformis; Forbidden Fruit. 



The pear-shaped variety, as in the Shaddock, possesses most 

 o the sweet principle, and is, on the whole, a preferable fruit. 



ORDER XXXIV. HYPERICINE.E. 



Calyx 4-5 partite or of 4-5 sepals, persistent, un- 

 equal. Petals 4-5, hypogynous, alternating with the 

 divisions of the calyx ; aestivation twisted. Stamens 

 numerous, polyadelphous, anthers versatile. Ovary 

 single, superior : styles many : stigmata simple. Fruit 

 a berry or capsule. Seeds very many : embryo 

 straight : radicle inferior : albumen none. 



Herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees, with a resinous juice. 

 Flowers generally yellow. There are but few tropical species 

 belonging to this order. The greater number are herbaceous 

 and undershrubby plants, delighting in the shade of groves and 

 thickets, in the cooler parts of Europe and Asia. The juice of 

 many is slightly purgative, and several are said to possess a 

 febrifuge property. 



AsCYRUM. 



Calyx of 4 sepals ; the 2 outer small, the 2 inner 

 larger. Petals 4. Stamens oo, scarcely united at 

 the base. Styles 1-3. De Cand. 



Shrubby plants. Name, from a privative, and ffKvgvf rough- 

 ness ; i. e. a smooth plant. 



1. Ascyrum hypericoides. St Andrew' s-wort. 



Stem fruticose, branchlets ancipital, leaves oblongo- 

 linear obtuse 2-glanduloseat the base pellucido-punc- 

 tulated, inner sepals elliptico-ovate, styles 2, capsule 

 1 -celled. 



Swartz, Obs. 294. Browne, 309. 



HAB . ^ Common in the mountains on barren clayey soil. 



FL. Throughout the year. 



