FAJfll.IAR GARDEX FLOWERS. 



peacli and clieriy stones. The pomes or apxjleworts constitute an equally- 

 distinct group of rosaceous jjlants, and are classed as N.O. Pomafefc. In this 

 order or sub-order we have the apples, pears, quinces, cotouea^ters, thorns, 

 and photinias. The almondworts, which now concern us, are distinguished 

 from the true roses and pomeworts by the pistil being a solitary, simple 

 carpel, changing when ripe into a drupe, and in the general presence in bark, 

 leaves, or fruit — sometimes in all three — of hydrocj^anic acid. p. 81. 



BEGONIA, named after M. Begon, a French botanist. N.O., 

 TU'f/oiiiiice<c. Linn-i;ax : 21, Moiicccia ; 9, Vohiaitth-ia. — This small but in- 

 teresting order is of little importance in the arts, but of great interest to the 

 botanist and tlie gardener. It consists of herbs and undershrubs with 

 alternate leaves, almost invariably divided ; the flowers are unisexual, and 

 usually consist of four pieces. In the male flowers the stamens form a 

 spherical head ; in the female flowers the stigmas are equally conspicuous, 

 and resemble those of a melon or cucumber. It is singular that a four-parted 

 flower should produce a three-lobed fruit, but such is the fact, and it is 

 somewhat of an anomaly. Tlie position of this order has been much dis- 

 cussed, but appears to have been settled by Dr. Liudley in his "Vegetable 

 Kingdom." He says, "The real affinities appear to be with cucurbits, with 

 which Begoniads accord in the unisexual flowers, peculiar stigmas, and even 

 ternary number of the carpels. Tlie discovery by Mr. Hartweg of Begoniads 

 scrambling up trees and shrubs to the height of twenty-five feet renders the 

 resemblance almost complete." The begonias are in some places eaten as 

 salads, the leaves and stems being agreeably flavoured with oxalic acid. The 

 roots are bitter and astringent. p. So. 



HYDRANGrEA, from hndor or In/ihr, water, and aggeion, a cup, 

 in allusion to the form of the seed-vessel. IST-O., Hgdraxgeacece. Linn.ean : 

 10, J)rc<oidrh( ; 2, JOigynia. — The hydrangea is often called the Chinese 

 gueldei'-rose, and not only is there warrant for the association in the general 

 appearance of the bold heads of bloom, but they agree also in the peculiarity 

 that in every head of flowers a certain number are infertile, and these give 

 the special character to the display. As regards true afliuities, however, 

 the hydrangeas come nearest to the saxifrages, while the deutzias and phila- 

 delphs are not far off. The i)lants of this order are all shrubs, with simple 

 opposite leaves, and flowers in cymes ; usually the fertile flowers are very 

 small and crowded in the centre, wliile the flowers on the outer part of the 

 cyme are barren and larger than the rest, and, in fact, the chief soiu-ce of 

 those attractive qualities that persuade us to cultivate them. The species 

 are mostly natives of the temperate jaarts of Asia and America, about half of 

 them belonging to China and Japan, and there are two that belong to the 

 southern hemisphere. They delight in rich soil with much moisture, and 

 some amount of shade. In a dry soil exposed to sun and wind they are 

 most unhappy. One species known as J-Tgdnnigra Th/nihergi furnishes from 

 its leaves a tea that is greatly valued in Japan, where it is called Ama-tsja, 

 the tea of heaven. The otlier species, so fa.r as known, have only their 

 beauty to recommend them to notice. ' p, SD. 



DODECATHEON, an ancient name of a plant, the application uf 

 which in this case is by no means obvious. N.O., I'rhiinh/c'fr, Linn.ean : 

 0, Enitanilrhi ; 1, Mo}iog}iina. m, 93, 



CONVALL ARIA, from con-aUis, a valley, and n>(7, a mantle. 

 in allusion to the leaves. N.O., Zi^acfyr. Linxjean ; 6, Hexandria ; \\ 

 Monnijgiiui. p^ »)7_ 



