78 EASY LESSORS IN VEGETABLE BIOLOGY. 



into a number of secondary umbels, as in the major- 

 ity of genera in the family of Umbelliferce. 



The Leguminose family, characterized by the ovary 

 developing into a pod, (or legume,) is also very ex- 

 tensive. It includes many forms of herbs, shrubs, 

 and trees. Some have flowers resembling a butterfly, 

 and hence called papilionaceous, as Clover, Lupins, 

 Peas, and Beans. Others have irregular flowers which 

 are not papilionaceous, as the Tamarind-tree and 

 various species of Senna, or Cassia. In other 

 cases the flowers are regular, the scales of the calyx 

 in the bud are valvate, or touch only at the edges, 

 and the stamens are sometimes very numerous, as in 

 different species of Acacia, and the Mimosa, or Sen- 

 sitive-plant. The Hose family is also a very large 

 one, and includes not only the roses of our gardens? 

 but Raspberries, Strawberries, Plums, Apples, Pears, 

 Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, and Almonds. 



The Cactus family is also found in this division. 

 It contains many succulent plants, generally destitute 

 of leaves whose place is supplied by fleshy stems of 

 grotesque figures. Some are angular, others are 

 roundish and covered with stiff spines. They vary 

 in height from a few inches to twenty or thirty feet. 

 The flowers are often very showy, varying from pure 

 white to rich scarlet or purple. In Mexico and 

 Southern California there are numerous species, some 

 of gigantic size. (Fig. 36.) 



