NAMES, HISTORIES, AKD CLASSIFICATION. 255 



bers, melons, and gourds. The species are about 500 in number, 

 and are mostly tropical or subtropical. Some 25 species are de- 

 scribed as cucumis, to which the cucumber and muskmelon 

 belong, and 2 as citrullus or watermelon. The pumpkins and 

 squashes belong to cucurbita, of which about 10 species are 

 known, several of them perennials. The family comprises 

 about 70 genera. 



About 350 species of begonia are known. 



Of cacti, there are about 1000 species and 13 genera, all but 

 one species native of the New World. 



Umbelliferse, comprising over 150 genera and about 1300 

 species, includes the parsnip, parsley, carrot, celery, caraway, 

 anise, dill, and others. In Africa some of the species attain to 

 the size of trees. 



About one-ninth of all flowering plants are comprised in the 

 Compositae or Sunflower family. It is by far the largest order, 

 containing nearly 800 genera and about ■ 10,000 species. Very 

 few of the species furnish esculent parts ; the leading ones are 

 lettuce, endive, chicory, artichoke, cardoon, and salsify. But 

 the family comprises great numbers of ornamental plants, of 

 which the leading one at the present time is the chrysanthemum. 

 A very few of the species become small shrubs. 



The Heath family, Ericaceae, includes the heaths, heather of 

 Europe, wintergreen, whortleberries or huckleberries, cranber- 

 ries, azaleas, rhododendrons, and laurels. Certain white and 

 flesh-colored parasitic plants also belong to it, as the Indian- 

 pipe and the snow plant of the Rocky Mountains. About 80 

 genera and over 1300 species are known. 



The Primulas belong to the Primulacese or Primrose family, 

 and they number some 80 or more species, many of which are 

 cultivated. The genus primula is commonly divided by florists 

 into auriculas, polyanthuses, and primroses. One of the prim- 

 ulas is the true cowslip. Primulacese has about 20 genera and 

 250 species. 



Oleacese, a family of 18 genera and nearly 300 species, in- 

 cludes the jasmine, forsythias, lilacs, ashes, privet, and olive. A 

 dozen species of fraxinus, or ash, are native of North America. 



