NAMES, HISTORIES, AND CLASSIFICATION. 253 



species of plants, inhabiting all parts of the world. The clem- 

 atis, marsh-marigold or so-called cowslip, columbine, adonis, 

 buttercup, Christmas rose, love-in-a-mist, larkspur, aconite, 

 and peony are members of the Crowfoot family. The family 

 comprises 30 genera. 



There are about 100 species of clematis known. 



About 40 distinct species of delphinium or larkspur are 

 described, few of which are cultivated. 



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 species is known, belongs to this order. 



The Nymphseacese or Water-lily family contains 8 genera 

 and about 35 species, all aquatic. The largest genus is 

 nymphsea by some called castalia comprising some 20 

 species. 



The Mustard family, Cruciferse, comprises probably about 

 2000 species, many of which are grown for food and ornament. 

 The cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, kohlrabi, radish, horseradish, 

 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 r about 200 are violets. The 

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

 proper, are shrubs or small trees. 



The Caryophyllacese or Pink family has about 1000 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," 

 numbers some 200 species. The corn-cockle and catchflies 

 belong to this family. 



