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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



embracing the stem, of a soft flaccid texture. Flowers uni- 

 sexual or bisexual in compact heads, spikes, or racemes ; 

 calyx coloured and scariose, often with one or more coloured 

 bracts, which are sometimes spiny. Fruit bladder like, or 

 a berry. 



This family consists of about 500 species, all widely dis- 

 tributed throughout warm and temperate climates ; they 

 are of a weedy nature, their seeds vegetating freely, and 

 readily become naturalized in new localities. In India one 

 or more species are cultivated for their seeds, which are used 

 as food ; many are considered by the natives of the different 

 countries to have medical qualities. 



Cock's Comb (^Celosia cristata). An annual, native of 

 India, introduced to this country three hundred years ago ; 

 the typical form is a branching plant, bearing loose spikes of 

 flowers. The crested head of the garden cock's comb is a 

 monstrosity brought about by cultivation. 



Prince's Feather {Amaranthus hypocliondriacus), Love- 

 lies-bleeding {A. caudatus), well known garden annuals, 

 natives of India. A. tricolor, a native of China, valued for 

 its variously coloured leaves. 



Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena glohosa). A well known 

 tender annual, with purple and white flowers, native of India. 



Iresine Herhsti, a native of Brazil, has on account of its 

 dark sombre foliage, come into repute as a contrast of colour 

 in flower beds. 



Trichinmm, a genus of Australia, has pretty plumose spikes 

 of flowers. 



The Spinach Family. 



(Chenopodiace^ .) 



Herbs, perennial or annual, fruticuls or shrubs. Stems 

 generally soft (some jointed) with alternate, fleshy, entire or 

 lobed leaves. Flowers in spikes, compact racemes, or panicles, 

 inconspicuous, unisexual or bisexual. Fruit membranous, dry 

 and rough, or a fleshy berry, one seeded. 



