194 Myrtacce—Myrtus. 
have weathered several winters. The opposite exstipulate 
leaves furnished with immersed transparent glands, imbricate 
calyx-lobes, numerous stamens, and inferior fruit, characterise 
the great bulk of the order; but Australia produces a distinct 
tribe or two differing in some particulars. 
1. MYRTUS. 
This is the only genus we have to refer to, and one species 
alone is hardy even in the South-west of England. There are 
perhaps nearly 100 species belonging to this genus. The 
name is that applied to the European species by the Greeks. 
1. A. comminis. Myrtle.—It is quite unnecessary to de- 
scribe this charming shrub. Unfortunately it is not hardy 
enough to bear our winters, except in some parts of the sonth- 
western counties. There are a great many varieties from 
different localities in the South of Europe, varying in the size 
and form of the leaves, and double or single flowers. 
Eugenia Ugni, Myrtilla, is a dwarf branching shrub about 
as hardy as the Myrtle, with small oval or oblong coria- 
ceous leaves, solitary axillary pink flowers, and red edible 
berries. Chili. 
Orprr XLV._MELASTOMACEZ:. 
Another large assemblage of trees and shrubs, and including 
a few herbaceous species. Natives of the tropics of all 
countries, and particularly numerous in America, a few reaching 
the temperate regions. The members of this order are easily 
recognised by their opposite exstipulate leaves with parallel 
nerves, definite stamens, anthers usually opening by pores, and 
the filaments furnished with an appendage. 
1. RHEXTA. 
A small genus of North American plants. Stems shrubby 
or herbaccoux. Flowers tetramerous. Stamens 8, equal. 
Anthers opening by a terminal pore, spurred at the base. About 
six species are known. The name is of Greek origin. 
1. R. Virginica. Meadow Beauty.—The only species of this 
large order that is cultivated in the open air in this country, 
and this is cxtremely rare, and difficult to grow, requiring 
a moist sandy bog-earth. It is an herbaceous plant about a 
