116 



XXVII. EOSACEiE 



Carpels many, rarely solitary, and then situated between two of 

 the lobes of the calyx (when these are 5), 1-celIed, 1 — 2 or more 

 seeded, free, or combined with each other and with the calyx 

 Styles simple, often lateral, distinct or combined. Seeds as-' 

 cending or suspended, nearly without albumen : embryo straio-]it' 

 with fleshy or foliaceous cotyledons. — Herbs, or Shrubs^ or 

 Trees, Leaves alternate^ with stipules one on each side the base 

 of the petiole. — The pulpy fleshy fruits are esculent; while the 

 plants which produce them are often poisonous from the pre- 

 sence of Trussic acid, with which many of the species abound. 

 Laurel-water is extracted, not from a true Laurel, but from an 

 individual of this JSTatural Order, Prnnus Lauro-Cerasus : the 

 Bitte 7- -Almond owes its flavour to that acid. Some produce a 

 gum ; others are astringent. Eoots of Tormentil yield a dye'; 

 others are febrifuges. The qualities residing in the species of 

 this Order entitle it to a high rank among British Vegetables. 



L 



Sub-Ord. I. Amygdale^. Carpel solitary^ superior. Style 1. Cali/x- 



tube deciduous. Stipules free, 



1. Prunus. 



Sub-Ord. II. EoSE.E, Carpels not adhering to the calyx-tuhe. Stipules 



united to the petiole. 



Tribe 1. SriR^iD.^. Petals several. Fruit a ring of follicles not in- 

 closed within the calyx tube. 



2. SriR^EA. 



« 



Tribe 2. Potentillid^. Calyx-tuhe short and nearly flat, not €7ichsing 

 the fruit. Petals several Aclienes or drupes 5 or more upon a 

 common flat or convex receptacle. 



* Achenes tipped with a long awn (the permayient style). 



3, 



4, 



6. 



7. 



8. 

 9. 



Dryas. Awns feathery, not jointed, Eeceptacle flat. 

 Geum. Awns jointed. Eeceptacle elongated. 



+ 

 m 



** Achenes or drupes with a short style. 



EuBUS. Drupes. Calyx simple (without external bracteoles). 



Pragaria. Achenes on a large fleshy deciduous receptacle. Calvx 

 double (Avith as many external bracteoles at its summit as divi- 

 sions, and alternate with them). 



Comaruim. Achenes on a spongy permanent receptacle. Calyx 

 double. Petals smaller than the calyx. 



PoTENTiLLA. Achcncs numcrous, on a dry fiat receptacle. Calyx 

 double. 



SiBBALDiA. Achenes 5—10, on a minute dry receptacle. Calyx 

 double. , 



Tribe 3. Sanguisorbid.e. Achenes 1—2, enclosed ivithin the dry 



calyx-tube. 



* Style from near the base of the achene. 



10. Alciiemilla. Petals o. Calyx double (8-cleft). Stamens 1—4. 



