2 ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 
with hypogynous stamens [that is, stamens under the pistil] ; anthers bursting 
by longitudinal slits; several distinct simple ‘carped/a [fruits]; exstipulate 
leaves, sheathing at their base; solid albumen ; and seeds without arillus.” 
(Nat. Syst., p. 6.) — Climbing shrubs scarcely woody, and low suffruticose 
bushes. Natives of Europe, Asia, and North America. 
Leaves generally alternate, but sometimes opposite, generally exstipuiate; 
deciduous, or evergreen; much divided, especially in Clématis, in which the 
leaves are not articulate with the stem. The petioles often serve as tendrils ; 
and are dilated at the base, forming a sheath half-clasping the stem. Hairs 
if any, simple. Inflorescence small in Xanthorhiza, and some species of 
Clématis, and large in Pxdnia. Seeds small and pointed, except'in Pzednia. 
—The species in British gardens are included in two tribes, Clematidex 
and Peonidcee, which contain the genera Clématis, Atragene, Pzednia 
and Xanthorhiza. 
Tribe I. CiLemati/DEz. 
Tribal Character. Climbers, characterised by having the estivation of the 
calyx valvate or induplicate ; with no petals, or with the petals flat ; the 
anther opening outwards ; the carpels, or seed-vessels, not opening, one- 
seeded, terminated by a tail, which is the indurated style. Seed pendulous. 
Leaves opposite. Deciduous and evergreen climbers. — The genera are two, 
Clématis and Atragene, which are thus contradistinguished : — 
Cie’matis L. Petals none. Arra’cenE L. Petals several. 
Genus I. 
MILIAN! 
CLEMATIS L. Tue Crematis, or Vircin’s Bower. Lin. Syst. Poly- 
4ndria Polygynia. 
Identification. The word Klematis was, as well as Atragene, used by Theophrastus, to designate 
the Clématis Vitdlba of Linneus. Clematis was used by Matthi _ ¢ fase 
g,bPlied it to C. Viticélla L. and C. eirrhosa 7. seaRiacnupaiiipuianin, Senin cia 
lynonymes. adies’ Bower Gerard; Clematite, Fr. ; Waldrebe, Ger. : i 
Derivation. The word Clematis, or Klematis, is derived from the See ee a small 
branch of a vine 5 and it is applied to this genus, because most of the plants composing it climb 
like a vine. The English name of Ladies’ Bower was probably adopted from its suitableness for 
covering bowers ; and, as the first kind of clematis brought to England (C. Viticélla) was intro- 
duced in 1569, during the reign of Elizabeth, the name of Virgin’s Bower might be intended to 
convey a complinient to that sovereign, who, as it is well known, liked to be called the Virgin 
Queen. Waldrebe is compounded of wad, a wood, and vebe, the branch of a vine. 
Generic Charqcter. Involucre none, or situated under the flower, in the form 
of a calyx. Calyx of from four to eight coloured sepals. Petals none. Car- 
pels numerous, aggregate, terminated by a long, and mostly feathery, tail.— 
Climbing shrubs, with variously cut opposite leaves. The recent herb of all 
the species is acrid, and, when applied to the skin, it occasions blisters. 
(Don’s Mill.) The seed is pendulous, and the carpels are one seeded ; 
each is terminated by a persistent style, and does not open until ruptured 
by the germination of the seed. 
Leaves compound, opposite in decussating pairs, without stipules, deci- 
duous or evergreen ; the petiole possessed of a clasping power for attaching 
the plant to contiguous bushes, or similar objects; in all the species more 
or less persistent after they are decayed. Flowers in axillary ramose panicles; 
small and white in some, and in others larger and highly coloured. Seed 
