208 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



water, the whole weighing 15 lbs. On its arrival in England 

 it was fully described by the late celebrated botanist, Mr. 

 Robert Brown, to be a true flower having stamens in one 

 plant and pistils in another. When young, and before ex- 

 pansion, it is very similar to a firm red cabbage. One or 

 two other species have since been discovered, but of much 

 smaller size. 



About 20 species of this family are enumerated, one of 

 the most remarkable being Hydnora africana, a native of 

 South Africa, Avhich grows on the roots of JEuphorbia. It con- 

 sists of a tubular flower from 4 to 6 inches long, and may be 

 compared to the socket of a candlestick, but 3-lobed. The 

 outside is of dull brown, and inside of rosy red colour, but 

 possessing an offensive smell like putrid meat. It is, how- 

 ever, said to be eaten by the natives. A plant of it flowered 

 at Kew in 1826. 



In tropical America the family is represented by the 

 genus Apoclanthes, the flower is urceolate or bell-shaped, in 

 size and appearance much resembling the flower of Asarum 

 europceum ; they grow on the branches of trees, and have 

 been mistaken for the flowers of the trees. 



The Cistus Rape Family. 



(Cytinace^.) 



Plants consisting of a simple pale coloured, somewhat 

 fleshy flower stem, from 6 inches to a foot in height, furnished 

 with bractffiform scales in place of leaves, the upper portion 

 being floriferous. Flowers unisexual. 



About half a dozen species constitute this family, which is 

 represented in Europe by Cytinus Hypocistus^ found growing 

 on the roots of different species of Cistus in the countries 

 of the Mediterranean. Their general appearance is that of 

 broom rapes, but they are distinguished by their incomplete 

 and unisexual flowers. 



