S78 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



witli 4 to 10 divisions. Petals the same number. Stamens 

 numerous, in two rows, seated on the calyx. Styles distinct, 

 or united. Fruit capsular, consisting of 4 or 10 many-seeded 

 cells. 



About 20 or 30 species are recorded as belonging to 

 this family, being widely spread over the Northern temperate 

 zone, and represented in Europe by the well-known shrub 

 called Mock Orange or Syringa {Philadelphus coronarius), 

 which, with P. granclijiorus and a few other species, are orna- 

 mental garden shrubs, conspicuous for their white flowers. 

 Deutzia scabra and D. gracilis are natives of Japan. The 

 first is a hardy shrub, the leaves of which are covered with 

 curious scales that are beautiful objects under the micro- 

 scope. The latter is a smaller and more tender species, and 

 has become a favourite as an early flowering greenhouse 

 plant. 



THE BEGONIA AND GOURD ALLIANCE. 

 The Bastard Hemp Family. 



(Datiscace^.) 



Tall herbaceous plants or trees, with alternate much- 

 divided leaves Flowers in axillary racemes or terminal in 

 panicles (not coloured), unisexual. Fruit a small capsule, 

 opening at the top. 



Not more than four species are known of this family. 

 They are widely scattered over the Northern hemisphere, 

 the principal representative being Datisca caniiabina, a 

 hemp-like plant, native of the South of Europe, possessing 

 no special qualities, except being bitter and purgative, and 

 its roots containing a kind of starch, called Datiscine. In 

 India and Java the family is represented by Tetrameles 

 indica, a large tree, having simple acuminate, sometimes 

 lobed leaves. 



Botanists differ much in opinion respecting the alliance of 

 this small family ; some place it near Besedacece, but Dr. 

 Lindley and others consider it to be more allied to the Gourd 

 family. 



