398 MANUAL OF NATUKAL HISTORY. 



ously glandular, exstipulate; calyx im- 

 bricated ; petals and stamens five ; ovary 

 2-5-celled ; style simple ; placentae axile ; fruit 

 capsular ; albumen oily. Occur chiefly in 

 temperate parts of South America, but reach 

 as far as the Straights of Magellan ; found 

 also in Bourbon, South Australia, and New 

 Zealand. 



4. FAMILY. Currants (Grossulariacese). Shrubs ; 

 unarmed or spiny; leaves alternate, lobed; 

 vernation plicate ; flowers in axillary racemes; 

 calyx 4~5-cleft ; petals five, perigynous ; 

 stamens 4-5 ; ovary unilocular ; placentae 

 parietal ; fruit a 1 -celled berry, crowned 

 with the remains of the flower. Live in 

 temperate regions in Europe, Asia, and 

 America; unknown in Africa. Yield various 

 edible fruits, as the Gooseberry and the 

 varieties of the Currant. 



V. ORDER CACTALS (Cactales). 



Flowers dichlamydeous, polypetalous ; placentae 

 parietal ; embryo with little or no albumen. 

 L FAMILY. Indian - Figs (Cactacese). Shrubs; 

 succulent ; woody matter often arranged in 

 wedges ; stems mostly angular or flattened ; 

 leaves usually wanting, when present, fleshy, 

 smooth, entire, or spinous ; flowers sessile, 

 showy or minute; sepals and petals numer- 

 ous, undistinguishable ; stamens 00 ; anthers 



