330 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



America, is of the same habit, but has a larger fruit. The 

 berries of both are extensively collected, and used in tarts, 

 &c. F, ovatum is a bushy species extremely abundant 

 throughout North America. The berries are collected 

 before they are ripe, and preserved by the North-West 

 Indians for winter food. Several species of Vaccinium are 

 also natives of the tropics, such as F. erytlirinum and F. 

 Rollinsonia^ of Java, and F. Imrarana, of Dominico, pretty 

 greenhouse shrubs. But the most remarkable of the family 

 are species of Thibaudia, a beautiful genus, native of Sikkim, 

 Himalaya and Bootan. They are rhododendron-like shrubs 

 in general, having a thick gouty root-stock of an epiphj^al 

 nature ; mostly found growing in moist mossy places. 

 Several species have been introduced, of which T. pulcher- 

 rima and T. macrantha are conspicuous ; they produce 

 numerous sessile, tubular flowers on the stems ; the flower 

 of the latter is 2 inches in length, and 1 inch in width, nearly 

 white, striped with red. 



Species of the genus Macle(mia''SLnd Ceratostemma, natives 

 of the Andean regions of Peru, are similar in habit to Thi- 

 baudia, 



THE HONEYSUCKLE, COFFEE, AND WOODEUFFE 

 ALLIANCE. 



The Qxiiniiie Family. 



(ClNCHONACE^.) 



Trees, or erect or climbing shrubs, small frutlets or herbs. 

 Leaves opposite, simple, furnished with permanent stipules. 

 Flowers inconspicuous, or large and showy, sometimes sessile 

 on the branches, or in heads, spikes, panicles, or corymbs. 

 Corolla bell-shaped, tubular, trumpet-like, or deeply cleft. 

 Stamens 4 or 5. Fruit berry-like, splitting in two, or large, 

 hard, and drupe-like, containing 2 or more seeds. 



This extensive family consists of more than 2500 

 species ; the greater portion being natives of the torrid zone ; 

 a few extending beyond, in both hemispheres. It con- 



