206 : THE OORNEL FAMILY. [ Cornus. 
XXXVIII. CORNACEH. THE CORNEL FAMILY. 
Limited in Europe to the single genus Cornel, with which 
are associated two or three allied tropical genera, scarcely 
differing from the Aralia family, except in their erect, not 
climbing habit, the more generally opposite leaves, and the 
more complete union of the carpels and styles. 
Among the exotic genera cultivated in our gardens may be mentioned 
the Japanese Aucuba and the Benthamia fragifera from the Himalaya. 
1. CORNUS. CORNUS. 
Trees, shrubs, or very rarely herbs, with opposite (or in one exotic 
species alternate), undivided leaves, and rather small flowers in terminal 
corymbs without bracts, or in umbels or heads surrounded by bracts, 
which are sometimes coloured and petal-like. Calyx, 4 small teeth round 
the summit of the ovary. Petals 4, valvate in the bud. Stamens 4, alter- 
nating with the petals. Style simple. Ovary 2-celled, with a single pen- 
dulous ovule in each cell. Fruit a berry-like drupe; the stone 1- or 2- 
celled, with 1 seed in each cell. Seeds with a fleshy albumen and a rather | 
long embryo. 
A genus not numerous in species, but extending over the temperate and 
colder regions of the northern hemisphere, both in the new and the old 
world. It was formerly included in Caprifoliacee, from which it differs 
chiefly in the distinct petals, valvate in the bud. 
Low herb. Umbelsurrounded by 4 petal-like bracts. ‘ 3 » lL. C. suecica. 
Shrub. Flowers in a corymb, without bracts . . : ° . 2. C sanguinea. 
Some other shrubby species of Cornus are often planted in our shrub- 
beries, especially C. alba, alternifolia, and florida, from North America, 
and C. mas from southern Europe, 
1, s uecica, Linn. Dwarf Cornel.—Uniike as this little herb is to 
C. sanguinea its generic affinity may be traced through the exotic C. 
florida. It has a slender, creeping perennial rootstock, with annual stems, 
barely 6 inches high, and usually simple. Leaves sessile, ovate, entire, 
seldom above an inch long, with 5 or sometimes 7 longitudinal nerves, and 
sprinkled with a few very minute, closely-appressed hairs. Flowers very - 
small, in a little terminal umbel, surrounded by 4 large, broad, petal-like, 
white bracts, so as to give the whole umbel the appearance of a single 
flower with 4 petals. The real petals are very minute, of a dark purple. 
Drupes small and red, resembling berries. : 
In mountain pastures, in northern Europe, extending into the Arctic 
Circle nearly all round the globe. Abundant in Scandinavia, and descend- 
ing southward to northern Germany. Not uncommon in the Scotch moun- 
tains, reappearing in north-eastern England, but not in Ireland. Fi. 
summer, rather late. 
2. C.sanguinea, Linn. (fig. 458). Common Cornel (Dogwood).—An 
erect shrub, of 5 or 6 feet. Leaves opposite, broadly ovate, and stalked ; 
when young, hoary or silky, with closely appressed hairs; but when 
full-grown, green and nearly glabrous. Flowers numerous, forming 
