' ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 



with hypogynous stainens [that is, stamens under the pistil] ; anthers bursting 

 by longitudinal slits ; several distinct simple carpella [fruits] ; exstipulate 

 leaves, sheathing at their base ; solid albumen ; and seeds without arillus." 

 (Nat. Si/st., p. 6.) Climbing shrubs scarcely woody, and low suiFruticose 

 bushes. Natives oF Europe, Asia, and North America. 



Leaves generally alternate, but sometimes opposite, generally exstipulate; 

 deciduous, or evergreen ; much divided, especially in Clematis, in which the 

 leaves are not articulate with the stem. The petioles often serve as tendrils ; 

 and are dilated at the base, forming a sheath half-clasping the stem. Hairs 

 if any, simple. Inflorescence small in Xanthorhiza, and some species of 

 Clematis, and large in Pxonia. Seeds small and pointed, except in Pseonia. 

 The species in British gardens are included in two tribes, Clematideas 

 and Pxonidcece, which contain the genera Clematis, ^tragene, Padonic^ 

 and Xanthorhiza. 



Tribe I. Clemati'de^. 



T7-ibal Character. CUmbers, characterised by having the sestivation of the 

 calyx valvate or induplicate ; with no petals, or with the petals flat ; the 

 anther opening outwards ; the carpels, or seed-vessels, not opening, one- 

 seeded, terminated by a tail, which is the indurated style. Seed pendulous. 

 Leaves opposite. Deciduous and evergreen climbers. The genera are two. 

 Clematis and Jtragene, which are thus contradistinguished : 



Cle'matis L. Petals none. y^TRA'cENE L. Petals several. 



Genus 1. 



H 



6T.E'MATIS L. 



The Clematis, or Virgin's Bower. 

 dndria Polygynia. 



Lin. Si/st. Poly- 



Identification. The word Klematis was, as well as Atragene, used by Theophrastus, to designate 

 the Clematis Vitalba of Linnaeus. Clematis was used by Matthiolus, and also by Clusius, who 

 applied it to C. Viticella L. and C. cirrhbsa L. 



Synonymes. Ladies' Bower Gerard ; Clematite, Fr. ; Waldrebe, Ge-f. ; Clematide, Ital. 



Derivation. The word Clematis, or Klematis, is derived from the Greek word klema, a small 

 branch of a vine ; and it is applied to this genus, because most of the plants composing it climb 

 like a vine. The English name of Ladies' Bower was probably adopted from its suitableness for 

 covering bowers ; and, as the first kind of clematis brought to England ( C. Vitici?lla) was intro- 

 duced in 15fi9, during the reign of Elizabeth, the name of Virgin's Bower might be intended to 

 convey a compliment to that sovereign, who, as it is well known, liked to be called the Virgin 

 Queen. Waldrebe is compounded of wald, a wood, and rebe, the branch of a vine. 



Genetic Character. Involucre none, or situated under the flower, in the form 

 of a calyx. Calyx of from four to eight coloured sepals. Petals none. Car- 

 pels numerous, aggregate, terminated by a long, and mostly feathery, tail. 

 Climbing shrubs, with variously cut opposite leaves. The recent herb of all 

 the species is acrid, and, when applied to the skin, it occasions blisters. 

 (Don's Mill.) The seed is pendulous, and the carpels are one seedetl ; 

 each is terminated by a persistent style, and does not open until ruptured 

 by the germination of the seed. 



Leaves compound, opposite in decussating pairs, without stipules, deci- 

 duous or evergreen ; the petiole possessed of a clasping power for attaching 

 the plant to contiguous bushes, or similar objects ; in all the species, more 

 or less persistent after they are decayed. Floivers in axillary ramose panicles; 

 small and white in some, and in others larger and highly colom-ed. Seed 



