864 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



broomstick. Specimens of these curious plants are to be 

 seen at Kew. 



A remarkable plant, Ckinnera scabra, a native of Cliili, is re- 

 ferred by some botanists to this family. In habit of growth it 

 is similar to Rhubarb, having rough leaves, sometimes attain- 

 ing a diameter of 6 feet; a plant at Kew measured 1 5 feet across. 

 It may be considered the largest leaved herbaceous exogen. 



The Dogwood Family. 



(COEXACE^.) 



Small trees or shrubs, rarely herbs, leaves simple oppo- 

 site (in one case alternate). Flowers in umbels (with or 

 wdthout petaloid involucrum), or in panicles or racemes, 

 seldom solitary and axillary, rarely unisexual. Petals and 

 stamens 4 each. Fruit a 2-seeded berried drupe, bearing the 

 permanent calyx. 



About 50 species are enumerated as belonging to this 

 family. They are natives of the temperate regions of the 

 Northern hemis23here, extending to the limits of plant life, and 

 re23resented in New Zealand by the genus Corohia^ a white 

 lance-leaved shrub, with axillary small yellow flowers. 



Cornelian or Jews Cherry {Cornus mascida). A native of 

 many parts of Europe ; in this country it is a small tree, or 

 rather bushy shrub, attaining the height of 10 or 15 feet, its 

 numerous small yellow flowers in spring making it conspi- 

 cuous. The fruit is oblong, clear and shining, of a cornelian 

 colour, and about the size of a smaU plum. It is not very 

 palatable, but is eaten in some parts as a substitute for olives ; 

 it is also preserved and used in confectionery, and in Turkey 

 for flavouring sherbet. It is considered useful in dysentery, 

 and during the time of cholera in Constantinople was the 

 only fruit allowed to be sold in the streets. Its wood is hard 

 and durable, and is used for making many domestic imple- 

 ments. 



Dogwood or Cornel Tree (^Cornus sanguinea). A common 

 shrub in this country and throughout Europe and North 



