CORNACE.^ 



Floivers yellowish-green, with unpleasant odour, attractive to flies ; pro- 

 terandrous; Umbels often grouped into mb-racemose panicles, sub-globose, 

 stellate hairs; bracts small, concave; Calyx 5-toothed, minute; Petals 5, broad, 

 short, triangular ovate, epigynous, not cohering at top, valvate in bud ; 

 Stamens 5, epigynous, anthers yellow; Ovary inferior, 5-10-celled, styles 

 united into one, very short ; Fruit a berry-like drupe, ^ in. diam., blue-black, 

 pruinose, flesh green, 2-5 seeds. 



Leaves alternate, exstipulate. petiolate, very variable, palmately 3-5-lobed. 

 ovate or angular, cordate at base, acute or obtuse, entire or sinuate, thick, 

 coriaceous, upper side deep green, polished, paler beneath ; dying leaves 

 brown. 



An evergreen sivub, climbing by small root-like excrescences, main stems 

 woody ; Branches spreading along ground ; Buds conical, pointed, naked, 

 sessile, green. 



Native of Britain. 



Class I Dicotyledons 



Division II. . . . Calycijiorce 



Natukai. Ordeii . . . Cornacece 



Shrubs, trees, or rarely herbs, with usually opposite, exstipulate leaves, 

 and small, regular flowers ; Calyx-limb minute, superior, 4-5-toothed ; Petals 

 4-5, valvate ; Stamens 4-5. alternating with petals ; Ovary inferior, usually 

 2-celled ; Fruit a drupe. 



Distinguished from Caprifoliacefe by the distinct petals, and from AraliacetE 

 by the usually opposite leaves. 



WHITE FLOWERING DOGWOOD, Comus jlorida. 



Gardens, shrubberies. April, May. Requires a warm and sheltered 



situation. Propagated by cuttings of firm shoots in sandy soil outdoors in 



November ; layering of slioots in October ; suckers in November. 



VOL. n. 49 ■ E 



