CCXXIII.— ANALYTICAL DRAWINGS OF THE 
OLIVE, GENTIAN, AND PERIWINKLE FAMILIES. 
(' Oleacece , Gentianacea, and Apocynacece.) 
T HE relationship between the three Families represented by the eight types 
analysed on this Plate, in accordance with which they are united in Engler’s 
Order Contort#, has been generally recognised by systematic botanists. As we have 
seen, opposite leaves, polysym metric pentamerous flowers, gamopetalous corollas, 
stamens equalling the petals in number, and two united carpels are the rule 
throughout. 
Of the two plants which here, as the only two indigenous species, represent the 
Family Oleace <e, the Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior Linne) is a remarkable 
illustration of the principles of the Natural System of classification, in that, though 
its flowers are destitute alike of calyx and corolla, it is placed among the Sympetal #. 
The tree may bear three kinds of flowers side by side, perfect, male and female ; 
but only the perfect and male flowers are here shown, the former by Figs, i and 3 
in the first row, the latter by Fig. 2. Fig. 1 shows the two free stamens and the 
flask-shaped gynaeceum of an incomplete but perfect flower ; Fig. 2, the two stamens 
which constitute a male flower, it being, of course, both incomplete and imperfect. 
Fig. 3 is the perfect flower in longitudinal section, showing the pendulous ovules 
in the two chambers of the ovary. Fig. 4 is a ripe samara opened and the seed 
removed from it. Fig. 5 shows the embryo, with elongated radicle, bent hypocoty- 
ledonary axis, and partially withdrawn cotyledons, issuing from the torn husk in 
germination ; and Fig. 6, a seedling at a slightly later stage, showing the entire 
cotyledons and the undivided leaves of the first pair of foliage-leaves. Figs. 1 to 3 
are enlarged ; Figs. 4 to 6, of natural size. 
The four figures in the second row, all of natural size, illustrate the Privet 
( Ligustrum vulgare Linne). Fig. 1 is the calyx and other parts of a young flower ; 
Fig. 2 shows a whole flower later ; Fig. 3, the style and bifid stigma ; and Fig. 4, 
the calyx and undeveloped gynaeceum, as seen from above. 
The next five rows, all illustrating the Gentian Family, show, of course, even 
greater similarity than that which characterises the whole Plate ; but they represent 
five distinct genera, out of the six which occur in Britain. The third line is the 
Centaury ( Centaurion umbellatum Gilibert), the first four figures being of natural 
size. Fig. 1 is a flower, as seen from above ; Fig. 2, a side view of the same, 
showing the bracteoles ; Fig. 3, the corolla and stamens, seen from below ; Fig. 4, 
the gynaeceum ; Fig. 5, the same, enlarged ; Fig. 6, a transverse section of the 
ovary ; and Fig. 7, the stigma, both enlarged. 
The fourth line of figures illustrates the Perfoliate Yellow-wort ( Blackstonia 
perfoliata Hudson), Fig. 1 showing the corolla dissected so as to exhibit the insertion 
