GELA8TRALEB. 



537 



labra, the Ohio Buckeye, and several other specieff, are 

 native ornamental trees of the sub-order. 



-^. Hippocastanum, the Horse-Chestnut of the Old World, is com- 

 monly planted. 



Kcdreuieria paniculata, a Chinese tree, and Gardiospermum Halica- 

 cabum, the Balloon Vine of the Southern United States, are cultivated 

 as ornaments. 



Nephelium LUchi, a small Chinese tree, produces the pulpy edible 

 fruits imported under the name of Litchi. N. Longan produces the 

 similar fruit called Longan. 



Melicoeaa Ujuga, a tree of Guiana, yields a hard and heavy timber, 

 and from Gitpania pendula, of Australia, is obtained Tulip Wood, 

 which, in some respects, resembles Mahogany. 



The stem of the climbing plant, PauUinia curassavica, of Venezuela, 

 is made into the walking-sticks called " Supple • 



Jacks." 



596. — Cohort XXVni. Celastrales. 



Flowers actinomoi'phic and monoclinous; 

 ovary superior entire ; seeds usually witli 

 'endosperm. 



Order Ampelidese. — Mostly climbing 

 shrubs, with nodose stems, bearing petioled al- 

 ternate leaves ; tendrils and flower clusters op- 

 posite to the leaves. About 250 species are 

 known ; they abound in the tropics and are 

 much rarer in temperate climates. 



Vitis is the principal genus; it contains all 

 the true Vines (grape producing), and many 

 others whose fruits are inedible. (Figs. 494-501.) 



VUis mnifera, the Vine of the Old World, has been under cultiva- 

 tion from time immemorial. It is indigenous to Southern Asia, from 

 whence it has been carried to nearly all parts of the world. Its varie- 

 ties are almost innumerable. From those grown in Southern Europe 

 wines and raisins are made, the latter being merely the sun-dried 

 grapes. 



In the United States the Old World Vine is grown in the Southern 

 and Pacific Coast States, and in the latter region fine raisins are made. 

 In other portions of this country only the native species are grown, viz. : 



V. Lahrusea, the Northern Fox Grape ; from this have originated 

 most of the common varieties, as Catawba, Concord, Isabella, etc. 



V. mstivalis, the Summer Grape, from which we have obtained the 

 Virginia Seedling, Herbemont, etc. 



V. riparia, the Eiver-bank Grape, which has produced the Taylor 

 Bullit, Delaware, and Clinton. 



Fig. 493.— Diagram of 

 the flower of ^aauliis ; 

 the normal circle of sta- 

 mens shaded black ; of 

 the interposed ones but 

 two are fully developed, 

 shaded lighter, the abor- 

 tive ones represented by 

 dots. — After Sachs. 



