STXOPSIS. xi 



dendron is an example of a kind of vegetation common to some parts of Asia 

 Minor, where may also be found the Pontic azalea, which has yellow or 

 orange-coloured flowers. Among the flowers of the Alps occur two rhodo- 

 dendrons, namely, H. ftrrttginenm and M. hirsutum, which are of dwarf 

 growth and exceedingly beautiful when in flower. Between the rhododen- 

 drons and the azaleas the differences are but few and slight, but the 

 cultivator distinguishes them readily, for in general complexion they differ 

 in a greater degree than in details of structure. The stamens are usually 

 five in number, the flowers are often glandular and clammy, and many of 

 the species are as decidedly deciduous as the rhododendrons are decidedly 

 evergreen. But there are species intermediate between the two genera, and 

 therefore to keep them apart is a matter of convenience more than of 

 necessity. p. 61. 



DIANTHUS.— See synopsis. p. 65. 



AGAPANTHUS, from agape, love, and anthos, a flower. N.O. 

 Ziliacece. p. 69. 



GENTIANELLA.— See synopsis. p. 73. 



LAP A GEM A is so named in honour of Josephine Lapagerie, wife 

 of the first Napoleon Bonaparte, whose beautiful garden at Malmaison con- 

 tributed in various ways to the advancement of botanical science. N.O., 

 Philesiacem. Linnjean: 6, Hexandria; 1, Monogyitia. — This fine South 

 American twiner is allied to the similax and the philesia. The fruit is said 

 to be eatable ; the root has the properties of sarsaparilla. p. 77. 



DIANTHUS.— See synopsis. p. 81- 



PHYLIiOCACTTJS is a leafy cactus, the growth being leaf- 

 like ; the flowers form on the edge of the expanded phyllode or leaf. N.O., 

 Crictaccce. LINNJ3AU : 12, Icosandria ; 1, Monogynia. — This represents the 

 great family of succulent plants known as Indian figs, all natives of the 

 American continent, though variously described as natives of China, the 

 Mauritius, and even of Europe ; in all these cases the plants have been 

 introduced and naturalised, and though appearing as wildings are of 

 American origin. A "leafy cactus" is a plant without leaves, the greater 

 part of this great family being characterised by the absence of those organs, 

 the exact state of the case being that leaf and branch are of one and the 

 same substance, at least, in the earlier stages of growth, although in due 

 time woody fibre is deposited and considerable rigidity of structure is 

 secured. The flowers are in many instances very showy, and consist usually 



