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The Gum Seed Family. 



(PiTTOSPORACEiE.) 



Small trees or shrubs, sometimes spiny ; or climbers, with 

 alternate simple leaves. Flowers bell-like, solitary, or several 

 together, axillary, or terminal, blue or white. Petals some- 

 times partially united. Fruit a valved capsule, containing 

 seeds embedded in gum ; or a round or oblong pulpy berry ; 

 or flat and partially winged, with two seeds. 



Nearly 100 species constitute this family. They are chiefly 

 natives of Australia and New Zealand, also of China and other 

 widely separated localities, but are not known in America. 

 They present two distinct habits of growth. Pittosporum, 

 consisting of trees and shrubs, with sweet-smelling flowers, 

 like Lily of the Valley. P. Tobira, native of China, a shining 

 leaved shrub, has been known to stand several years in the 

 open air of this country. P. undulatum is a tree, native of 

 New South Wales, where it gl-ows from 70 to 80 feet in 

 height ; its wood is similar to Box. In the Azores it is ex- 

 tensively planted to shelter the orange plantations. Billar- 

 diera, Solly a, and their allies are slender twining plants, 

 usually with pretty blue flowers, natives of Australia, and 

 well known as ornamental plants in greenhouses. 



The Barberry Family. 



(Berberidace^.) 



Evergreen or deciduous shrubs, rarely trailing ; generally 

 with prickly stems and leaves ; or perennial, with running 

 or tuberous roots. Leaves simple or variously compound, 

 alternate; footstalks somewhat sheathing at their base. 

 Flowers solitary, in panicles or racemes. Petals 4, 5, or 6, 

 with gland-like appendages at their base. Stamens 4, 5, 6, or 

 9. Pistil, generally short. Fruit an oblong or round pulpy 

 berry, or capsule, containing one or more seeds. 



About 100 species are known of this family. They are 

 natives of the cooler regions of the temperate zone, also of 

 the southern parts of South America, but none are found in 



