MYRTUS. 



of the cotyledons. Shrubs. Leaves opposite, quite entire, 

 pellucid-dotted. Peduncles axillary, 1 or rarely 3-flowered. 

 W. and A. 



153. M. communis Lin. sp. pi. 673. DC. prodr. iii. 239. 

 Rocks and heaths of the South of Europe. 



Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute, shining, evergreen. Pedicels 

 solitary 1-flowered, about as long as the leaf. Bractlets 2, linear, 

 deciduous, under the flower. Calyx 5-cIeft. Flowers white. Fruit 

 oval, deep purple. Aromatic and astringent. In many parts of 

 Greece, Italy and Provence the bark is used for tanning. Myrtle 

 buds and berries were eaten as spices by the ancients, and are still used 

 in Tuscany instead of pepper. The Tuscans also prepare a sort of 

 Myrtle wine which they call Myrtidanum. The distilled water of 

 Myrtle flowers i^ that very agreeable perfume known in France under 

 the name of * Eau d'Ange.' Burnett. 



CARYOPHYLLUS. 



Tube of the calyx cylindrical ; limb 4-parted. Petals 4, 

 adhering by their ends in a sort of calyptra. Stamens distinct, 

 arranged in 4 parcels in a quadrangular fleshy hollow, near the 

 teeth of the calyx. Ovary 2-celled ; ovules about 20 in each 

 cell. Berry 1-2-celled, 1-2-seeded. Seeds cylindrical, or half- 

 ovate. Cotyledons thick, fleshy, convex externally, sinuous in 

 various ways internally. 



154. C. aromaticus Linn. sp. 735. DC. prodr. iii. 262. Bot. 



mag t. 2749. S. and C. ii. t. 95. Woodv. t. 135 Caryophyl- 



lus Rumph. ii. t. 1. 2. 3. Molucca Islands. (Clove.) 



A moderately-sized tree, whose outline or circumscription is some- 

 what conical or pyramidal, bearing numerous opposite branches which 

 are more or less virgate. Whole plant everywhere glabrous. Leaves 

 opposite and decussate, persistent, somewhat coriaceous and shining, 

 minutely punctated, about four inches long, ovate-lanceolate, more or 

 less acute, quite entire, pale beneath, tapering gradually at the base 

 into a slender footstalk, which is almost 2 inches long. Panicles short, 

 terminal, of many flowers, and always trichotomously divided, jointed 

 at every division. Peduncles terete, green. Calyx of 4, ovate, concave 

 segments, erecto-patent, placed upon the top of the ovary, and 

 together with it, is first green and then red, coriaceous. Petals 4, 

 larger than the calyx, imbricated into a globe in bud, at length spread- 

 ing, roundish, concave, yellowish-red, very soon caducous. In the 

 centre of the calyx, and occupying the top of the ovary, is a quadran- 

 gular elevated line or gland, surrounding, but not embracing the base of 

 the shortish, obtusely subulate style. Around this gland, immediately 

 within the petals, the stamens are inserted ; but as their insertion does 

 not extend to the angles of the gland, they appear to be collected into 

 four bundles, numerous. Filaments much longer than the petals, 

 yellow. Anthers ovate-cordate, yellow, 2-celled. Ovary oblong, or 

 almost cylindrical, 2-celled, with many small ovules in each cell, 

 attached to the sides of the dissepiment. All these become abortive ; 

 or one proves fertile, and by its great enjargement destroys the 

 75 



