246 NATURAL HISTORY. 



everywhere, it climbs to the height of fifty feet. It 

 bears a dark blue berry, which is not eatable. 



TWEXTY-FIRST FAMILY. GERAXIACE^E. (Class 10, 

 L.) Are hardy plants, with many-lobed leaves, flowers 

 opposite. Pelargoniums, or common geraniums, not so 

 hardy as to bear the winters in a northern climate, be- 

 long to this class, and, largely cultivated as garden and 

 house plants, are well known from their beautiful flowers 

 and sweet odor. 



The Red Stork's Bill (Geranium sanguineum), L., 

 Her., has an upright stem, diffusely branched, reddish 

 leaves, and dark, blood-red flowers; a foot and a half 

 high, grows in woods and dry, grassy places, but finds a 

 place in gardens on account of its beauty and sweet per- 

 fume. ] 7 . 



The Crane's Bill (Pelargonium) belong to this fam- 

 ily. Are distinguished by the irregular, two-lobed 

 petals, and stamens partially sterile. Natives of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, where they are found in endless 

 variety. Many have been transplanted to the gardens 

 and hot-houses of the north, and not less prized as being 

 highly ornamental than for the delightful odor of the 

 leaves. 



TWEXTY-SECOXD FAMILY. TROPACOLACEJS. TRO- 

 PIIYWORTS. (Class 8, L.) Are straggling or twining, 

 with orbicular leaves and large, showy flowers. 



The first of this genus is 



The Nasturtium Indian Cress (Tropseoleum ma- 

 jus), which has the calyx five-parted and spurred at the 

 base ; flowers composed of five unequal petals, three of 

 which are clawed, the two upper inserted on the calyx ; 

 of a bright orange color, brown spotted. The fruit a 

 seeded nut, divided into three globes. Both flowers, 



