Vinca.] XLIX. APOCYNACE^. 299 



the inner side. Seeds several, without the seed-down of many exotic 

 genera of the Order. 



Leaves broadly ovate, and segments of the calyx ciliate on their 



margins. Flowers large 1. V. maj<n\ 



Leaves narrow-ovate, and calyxes quite glabrous. Flowers small . 2. V. minor. 



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. Fl. spring and summer. 



L. GENTIANACE^. 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. 



Mowers very small, yellow 1. Cioekdia. 



Flowers rather large, blue Qentiana campestru. 



