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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



Similar to this, but not in size, is the common Bindweed 

 {Convolvulus)^ {Calystegias epimii). C. tricolor, native of the 

 shores of the Mediterranean, as well as others, ornament 

 the flower garden in summer. 



The Dodder Family. 



(CUSCUTACE^.) 



Parasites destitute of leaves, twining round other plants 

 like coils of thread or string. Flowers in small sessile com- 

 pact clusters. Fruit a capsule or berry. 



As a family this is by some botanists not considered dis- 

 tinct from Convolvulacece. It consists of about fifty species, 

 chiefly natives of temperate countries, the whole generally 

 considered to belong to the genus Cuscuta, of which there 

 are two species natives of Britain, viz., C. Epithymum, which 

 grows abundantly on heath, and C. europoea upon thistles 

 and nettles or other soft plants within its reach, involving the 

 whole in destruction. Of late years two other species have 

 accidentally been introduced, viz., — Flax Dodder ( (7. trifolii) 

 and Clover Dodder {C. Epilinum). The first destroys whole 

 fields of flax and the latter preys to a great extent on clover, 

 both plants being the cause of great losses to the agricul- 

 turist. In India some species are very large and powerful, 

 involving trees of considerable size in their grasp. The 

 seeds of Dodders vegetate in the ground, but when the young 

 plant is of sufiicient length to attach itself to a contiguous 

 plant of another family, it ceases to have further connexion 

 with the ground but derives nourishment from the plant it 

 has become attached to. 



THE PRIMKOSE AND PHLOX ALLIANCE. 

 The Primrose Family. 



(PRIMULACE^.) 



Herbs, tubercorms, or frutlets with erect or trailing stems, 

 or with radical leaves rising from a centre in rosette form, 



