THE GERANIUM FAMILY. 181 



XXVI. GERANIUM FAMILY. GERANIACE^E. 



MATERIAL REQUIRED. 



Specimens of horseshoe geranium, Pelargonium zonale, L., in flower. 

 Wild cranesbill, Geranium maculatum, L. ; Nasturtium, Tropceolum 



majus, L. ; Touch-me-not, Impatiens fulva, Nutt., or cultivated 



balsams that have not become double. 



HORSESHOE GERANIUM. Pelargonium zonale, L. 



Distribution. 



The "horseshoe geranium" is universally cultivated. 

 In common with various other cultivated species of the 

 same genus, it is indigenous to southern Africa. Very 

 many varieties have been produced. 



General Characters. 



With good specimens, observe and describe the various 

 external features, such as 



I. Mode of branching. 

 II. Leaf arrangement. 



III. Presence or absence of stipules. 



IV. Form of leaves. 



Inflorescence. 



Taking care to select plants the flowers of which have 

 not become double, compare inflorescences of different 

 ages, and ascertain the order of development of the flowers. 



