Vinea.] XLIX, APOCYNACEA. 299 
the inner side. Seeds several, without the seed-down of many exotic 
- genera of the Order. 
Leaves broadly ovate, and segments of the ee ciliate on their 
margins. Flowerslarge . 7 ¢ ; shi VE, Major: 
Leaves narrow-ovate, and calyxes quite glabrous. ’ Flowers small oe Vs MANON. 
The V. rosea, a tropical species with erect. stems, is often cultivated 
in our hothouses, 
1, V. major, Linn. (fig. 672). Larger P.—A perennial, with a 
creeping rootstock, long, trailing, barren shoots, and nearly erect, simple 
flowering stems, about a foot high. Leaves broadly ovate, evergreen, 
and shining, but bordered by minute hairs. Pedicels shorter than the 
leaves. Calyx-segments narrow, ciliate on the edges. Corolla large, 
blue; the tube broad, almost bell- -shaped, though slightly contracted 
at the mouth ; the lobes broad, almost angular. 
In woods and shady banks, in south- central and southern Europe to 
the Caucasus, but, having been long cultivated for ornament, and 
spreading with great rapidity by its rooting stems, it has established 
itself much farther north, and in many parts of England, where, how- 
- ever, it seldom, if ever, ripens its seed. Fl. spring. 
2. V. minor, Linn. (fig. 673). Lesser P.—Differs from the last in its 
smaller size, more trailing habit, with short, erect flowering stems ; in 
its narrower, ovate or oblong leaves, which are perfectly glabrous; in 
its smaller flower, with a more open tube to the corolla, and shorter 
and broader segments to the calyx, without any hairs. 
Its geographical range is more extended than that of V. major, being 
undoubtedly wild much farther northwards, and more abundant in 
England, but yet, like that species, it is probably with us an introduced, 
not a truly indigenous plant. . spring and summer. 
L. GENTIANACEA. THE GENTIAN FAMILY. 
Herbs, more or less bitter, usually glabrous, with the exception 
of a few exotic species; the leaves usually opposite and entire, 
without stipules; the flowers in terminal, dichotomous cymes 
or panicles, with a single flower in each fork. Calyx of 4, 5 
or rarely 6 to 8 divisions. Corolla regular, with a straight or 
open tube, sometimes very short, and a spreading limb of as 
many divisions as the calyx, usually twisted in the bud. Sta- 
mens as many as the divisions of the corolla, and alternating 
with them. Ovary of a single cell, or partially divided into 2. 
Capsule opening in 2 valves, with many seeds. 
A rather large and very natural Order, extending nearly all over the 
world, but chiefly in temperate or mountain regions, some species 
ascending to the utmost limits of vegetation. 
Leaves opposite. Terrestrial plants. 
Stamens and divisions of the corolla 4. 
Flowers very small, yellow . : : ; : : . 1. CICENDIA. 
Flowers rather large, blue. : : : : ‘ . Gentiana campestris 
