BERBERIDS, 407. 
.the leaflets reduced to one, and the primary leaves to spines. 
The spiny leaves and stem are well represented in Fig. 407, which 
shows the palmate or tri-partite spiny leaves, in the axils of which 
buds are developed bearing true leaves; others become indurated 
sharp-pointed axes or spines. It is also remarkable for the irrita- 
bility of its stamens; these, when the filament is touched on the 
inside with the point of a pin in dry weather, bend forward towards 
the pistil, touch the stigma with the anther, and remain curved for 
a short time, and then partially resume their erect position. In wet 
weather, when the filaments have lost their elasticity, the pheno- 
menon is scarcely perceptible. The same result attended the 
experiment of applying arsenic or corrosive sublimate to the 
filaments ; they became rigid and brittle, and lost their irritability. 
On the other hand, on the application of narcotics, as prussic acid 
or belladona, the irritability was destroyed by the filament becoming 
flaccid and relaxed. 
: The Barberries are interesting from their graceful elegance, both 
in their racemes of yellow flowers and rather ovate delicate berries. 
Their bark and root are used for dying leather and linen of a 
yellow colour. Several Indian species have similar properties, and 
the acid quality of its fruit has long placed it among the favourite 
febrifuges, but it may be doubted if it has any quality beyond the 
tefreshing flavour it imparts to water. 
Botanists have divided them into :— 
f I. Thin, simple leaves, solitary flowers, deciduous. B. Siberica. 
II. Thin leaves, mostly deciduous flowers in racemes. 
TRUE Barperrizs, 4 : 
IIT.. Leaves leathery; evergreen; flowers solitary or 
in clusters, : 
IV. Leaves leathery; evergreen ; flowers in racemes, 
~ BARBERRIES, Leaves pinnated; allevergreens. . . . «s+ Rapes 
: B, Glumacea. 
| ae 1 f BeBe 
% Besides these, several species remain unclassed, as B L : 
_ fine pinnated shrub of the N eilgherry mountains, with a black 
coms fruit ; B. Nepalensis, which grows twelve feet high at six 
