THE IVY FAMILY. 



361 



rennials, varying chiefly in size, and their leaves being more 

 or less compoundly divided; the umbels of flowers being 

 Avhite or yellow. As already stated, few partake of the shrub 

 or tree character, but the following may be mentioned as 

 curious examples : — 



Monizia edulis. A native of a small island contiguous to 

 Madeira. It is one of the few single-stemmed tree repre- 

 sentatives of the family. The stems of young plants look 

 like carrots or parsnips growing above ground ; but in old 

 plants they attain a diameter of 6 inches at the base, tapering 

 upwards, and attaining the height of from 4 to 6 feet, termi- 

 nating with a crown of decompound spreading leaves, having 

 the aspect of a tree fern. The roots are somewhat succulent, 

 and are eaten. 



Balsam Bog (Bolax gleharia). A heath- leaved shrub, having 

 branches successively forking from a central root, being short 

 and moss-like, and growing so compact that old plants become 

 so firm and hard as to resist the pressure of the hand ; 

 they assume the shape of round hillocks, 3 or 4 feet in dia- 

 meter, and the same in height. It is a native of the Falk- 

 land Islands, and the large number of them imparts a peculiar 

 feature to the landscape. A gum is obtained from it, which 

 is used in medicine. A specimen of this curious plant is to 

 be seen in the Museum at Kew, measuring 9 feet 4 inches in 

 circumference. 



The only hardy shrubby species of the family is Bupleu- 

 rum fruticosmn, a much-branching small shrub, Avith roundish 

 entire smooth leaves. Native of the South of Europe. 



The greater number of shrubby species are found in 

 Australia, consisting of species of the genera Trachymene^ 

 Astrotricha^ Xanthosia, and others. 



The Ivy Family. 



(Araliace^.) 



Small trees, soft-wooded shrubs, or climbing Ampelids, 

 rarely herbs. . Leaves alternate, entire, lobed, palmate, or 



