342 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



ticular uses medicinally or economically, except SccBvola 

 Taccada, a curious soft frutical with broad obovate, somewhat 

 sheathing leaves. It is common on the shores of Australia 

 and Islands of the Southern and Indian oceans. It has large 

 soft and spongy pith similar to that of the rice-paper plant, 

 which is used for making curiosities. Goodenia ovata and 

 G. grandijiora, as well as several species of Leschenaultia, 

 have long been cultivated in the greenhouses of this country. 



Another close alliance is the family of StylidiacecBy consist- 

 ing of about 100 species, natives chiefly of Australia and 

 New Zealand; they differ from Goodeniacece in many of 

 them having grassy leaves, but more essentially in having 

 only 2 stamens which are united to the pistil. In Stylidium 

 the pistil is bent to near a right angle, and on being touched 

 springs with an elastic jerk and thus discharges the poUen. 

 Stylidium graminifoUum, S. adnatum, S. fmticosum and 

 others, have long been cultivated in greenhouses. 



The "Valerian Family. 



(Valerianace^.) 



Herbs, perennial or annual. Leaves entire or variously 

 lobed, some almost winged. Flower-stems oppositely 

 branched, bearing the flowers in spikes or panicles in the 

 axis of the leaves, or terminal. Calyx membranous or 

 feathery. Corolla regular or irregular, sometimes spurred. 

 Stamens free. Fruit a dry achenia with 1 seed. 



About 180 species constitute this family ; they are widely 

 distributed, chiefly in temperate regions. Most of them have 

 a strong aromatic scent, which is not agreeable to many 

 people. They are considered as stimulants, and are used for 

 various purposes in medicine. 



Lambs Lettuce or Corn Salad (Valeriana olito?ia). A 

 soft weedy plant, growing freely in loose soils in this 

 country, and sometimes used as a salad, but more so in 

 France, where three sorts are cultivated for that purpose ; it 

 is also used as spinach. 



