THE CABBAGE FAMILY 
[ORDER VI. CRUCIFERS] 
HIS order is easily recognised by the 4 sepals and petals, placed cross-wise, and so some- 
what resembling a Maltese cross, by the 6 stamens in 3 pairs, one pair shorter than the other 
two, and by the pod-like fruits. 
It is a large and important family, widely spread in the temperate parts of the world, chiefly 
in the Northern Hemisphere. Some of the species are very charming, the flowers having, 
in addition to their beauty, a very sweet scent, which makes them common garden favourites. 
Among them are the Stock (Mathiola), Wallflower (Cheiranthus), Sweet Rocket (Diplotaxis), 
Alyssum, Honesty, Aubrietia, Arabis, Candytuft (Iberis), and Virginia Stock. 
All the species are destitute of harmful properties, and many abound in sulphur and nitrogen, 
and are invaluable additions to our food. Under cultivation they become some of our most 
useful vegetables, and supply us with Cabbages, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Turnip 
and Swede, Watercress, Radish, and Mustard and Cress for salad, and Mustard and Horse- 
radish for condiments. 
STOCK. (MATHIOLA, R.Br.) — Flowers large, usually purple, shortly stalked, growing in close 
succession up and terminating the stem (in a raceme). Sepals 4, erect, the 2 side ones pouched at 
the base (gibbous) ; petals 4, equal, spreading on long, erect claws ; stamens 6, in 3 pairs, one pair 
shorter than the other two ; carpels 2, with a short style and a 2-lobed stigma. Fruit a long, 
narrow, rounded or flattened pod, divided lengthwise into 2 cells by a thin partition, to either side 
of which the numerous winged seeds are attached, the shell opening from base to apex by 2 valves 
(siliqua). Herbs or under-shrubs, downy with star-like hairs, and having entire or toothed leaves. 
Great Sea Stock. (Mathiola sinuata, R.Br.) — As just described, the flowers 1 inch 
across, purple, fragrant at night ; the pods flattened and dotted with glands, about 4 inches 
long ; the stem 9 inches to 2 feet high, hoary, the upper half slightly branched, woody at the base, 
and the leaves oblong and densely downy, the lower ones toothed or lobed. 
Rare. Sandy sea-shores. June — August. Biennial. 
Hoary Shrubby Stock. (Mathiola incana, R.Br.)— A similar plant to the last, with 
flowers 1-2 inches across, pale lilac; the pods rounded and without glands, 4-5 inches long; 
the stem 1-2 feet high, more woody at the base, thick, very spreading, downy, and the leaves all 
entire, narrowly oblong, hoary with short hairs. 
Rare, local. Chalky cliffs in the Isle of Wight. May — June. Perennial. 
^WALLFLOWER. (CHEIRANTHUS, LINN.) — Flowers large, usually orange or yellow, shortly 
stalked, growing in close succession up and terminating the stem (in a raceme). Sepals 4, 
erect, the 2 side ones pouched at the base (gibbous) ; petals 4, equal, spreading on long, erect 
