828 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



5 -parted. Stamens 5, perigynous. Fruit a succulent drupe, 

 berry or capsule. 



This family consists of about 300 species, the greater 

 number of which are natives of Australia, Tasmania, and 

 New Zealand, where they represent the Heaths of South 

 Africa. A few are found in the Islands of the Pacific and 

 Malayan Peninsula and Islands. They have generally harsh 

 leaves, and form the scrub of the country ; many have 

 pretty flowers, and are cultivated in greenhouses, such as 

 different species of JEpacris, Sti/phelia, Leucopogon, Draclio- 

 phyLlum, &c. They possess no particular properties, except 

 that the succulent fruits of some are not unwholesome ; for 

 example, Leucopogon Richei^ Astroloma humifusum^ Stenan- 

 thera pinifolia^ and several Lissanthe, L. sapida, known in 

 Sydney by the name of Australian Cranberry. The most 

 woody species of the family is Trochocarpa laurina, a native 

 of New South Wales, a tree attaining the height of from 15 

 to 18 feet, having hard wood. 



The genus Bichei, of which there are four species, three 

 being natives of the mountains of Tasmania, present a re- 

 markable appearance. JR. pandancefoUa has a slender stem, 

 attaining the height of 40 or 50 feet, with a diameter of about 

 9 inches at its base, bearing a crown of long, harsh leaves, 

 similar to those of the Screw Pine, and having more the 

 appearance of a Draccena than as belonging to the family of 

 Epacris. Dracliophyllum attenuatum is of the same habit, 

 but more slender. It is a native of New Zealand. 



** Corolla monopetalous, superior (epigynous). Stamens 

 epigynous or perigyncus. 



The Cranberry ramily. 



(Vacciniace^.) 



Small trees, or much branched shrubs; some partially 

 epiphytal. Leaves simple, alternate, some with marginal 

 glands. Flowers solitary, or in racemes ; sometimes sessile 



