COEXEL FAMILY. 



J57 



Root perennial, 3-6 inches long, and about half an inch in diameter, often forked 

 downwards, whitish, transversely rugose. Stem 9-18 inches high, herbaceous, angular, 

 smooth, with a verticil of 3 (rarely 4) petiolate compound leaves at summit, and a simple 

 erect pedunculate umbel in the centre. Common petiole 3-4 inches long. ieq/Zete un- 

 equal, — the 3 principal ones 3-5 inches long, the lateral ones much smaller. Umbel 

 many-flowered, — the central flowers often abortive. Petals yellowish green. Ovary 

 compressed, cordate-ovate, or gibbous at base on each side. Fruit a fleshy drupaceous 

 reniform berry, crowned with the persistent calyx-teeth and styles, smooth, bright 

 crimson when mature. 



Rich woodlands : Northern and "Western States. Fl. July. Fr. September. 



Obs. The root of this plant is slightly stimulant, and rather pleasantly 

 aromatic. It has long been, and continues to be, an article of some im- 

 portance in our commerce with China ; and although it has but little to 

 do with Agriculture, it is presumed that a brief description of a native 

 plant, so abundantly produced in our western forests— and so highly 

 prized in the " Celestial Empire " — will not be unacceptable. 



2. HE'DERA, L. Ivy. 



[Name supposed to be from the Celtic word for cord.] 



CaZi/x of 5 teeth. Petals 5, broadest at base. Stamens 5-10. Style 

 simple, or 5-10, more or less combined. Berry with 3-10 seeds, 

 crowned by the calyx. Evergreen shrub adhering to objects by means 

 of numerous rootlets. 



1. H. He'lix, L. Leaves tliick, angular-heart-Siiaped, 3-5-lobed, 

 those of the flowering shoots ovate and pointed ; umbels erect. 

 English Ivy. Irish Ivy. 



stem long and tortuous, climbing walls, &c., to a great height, and adhering firmly. 

 Leaves dark shining green, veined with white. Flowers in spherical heads or umbels, 

 yellowish green. BerHes obscurely 4-angled, about the size of peas, black. 



Native of Europe. Cultivated. 



Obs. This beautiful vine thrives well, when planted in a northern ex- 

 posure, even at the south. The so-called Irish Ivy is a broader leaved 

 form. 



Order XXXY. CORNA'CE^, (Cornel Family.) 



Chiefly small trees or shrubs, with mostly opposite entire leaves destitute of stipules, and 

 flowers in cymes, sometimes clustered into heads and surrounded by a large petaloid in- 

 volucre. Calyx adherent to the 2-celIed ovary, — the limb 4-toothed. Petals 4, valvate in 

 aestivation. Stamms as many as the petals, and alternate with them. Styles united into 1. 

 Fruit a. 2-ce\\ed drupe, crowned with the persistent calyx-teeth. Seeds solitary, pendu- 

 lous : embryo nearly the length of the fleshy albumen. 



1. COR'NUS, Tournef. Dogwood. 



[Latin, Cornu, a horn ; from the horny toughness of the wood.] 



Calyx 4-toothed, — the teeth minute. Petals oblong, spreading. Sta- 

 mens longer than the corolla. Style sub-clavate ; stigma obtuse or cap- 

 itate. Drupe oval or subglobose, with a 2- S-celled nut. 



Flowers capitate, with a 4rleaved involucre. 



