The Natural System of Botany. 329 



Order— Eric ace^e. The Heath Tribe. 



These are mostly shrubs. The flowers are nearly regular, 

 the stamens distinct, the anthers are two^celled, the styles and 

 stigmas united into one. The order is divided into four tribes 

 or sub-orders. Vaccinebje, which are shrubs with scattered, 

 often ever-green, leaves, with an adherent ovary and a berry, 

 or drupe-like fruit ; Ericine^e, shrubs, in which the ovary is 

 free from the calyx, and the fruit usually capsular ; Pyrole^e, 

 herbs, which have nearly distinct petals and capsular fruit ; 

 Monotropejs, which are parasitic herbs, having brown or 

 white scales instead of leaves. To the first division belong 

 the Whortleberry (Vaccinium), the Cranberry (Oxycoccus), 

 &c. To the second belong the true Heaths (Erica), and those 

 beautiful shrubs, Kalmia, Rhododendron, Andromeda, Clethra, 

 &c. The third contains those neat, low plants of the genera 

 Pyrola and Gaultheria (Wintergreen) ; and the fourth, those 

 curious and odd looking parasites, Monotropa or Hypopithys 

 (Indian pipe, Bird's nest, or Beech drops.) 



Order — Aquifoliacejs. The Holly Tribe, 



These are shrubs or small trees, with coriaceous leaves and 

 axillary flowers. The fruit is a drupe, with from two to six 

 stones. The common Holly (Ilex) and the Winter-berry or 

 Black Alder (Prinos) are examples. 



Order— Ebenace^e. The Ebony Tribe. 



One species of Diospyros produces the valuable wood called 

 Ebony, and another is the Persimmon of the Southern States. 



Order — Primulace^. The Primrose Tribe. 



This is a small family of herbs, with a four or five toothed 

 calyx, a rotate, salver-shaped, or bell-form corolla, a single 

 style and stigma, capsular fruit and numerous seeds. Familiar 

 examples are the highly prized species of Primula and Cycla- 



