OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS. 
133 
tips of the shoots are killed. Miller also advises it to be planted in dry rubbish, that it may shoot less vigorously, 
and be consequently less succulent, and less liable to be injured by frost. " For if the stalk is killed at the top; 
though it sprouts again, it will not flower the same season." It is increased by suckers, taken oflf between March 
and September ; and in favourable summers it ripens seed. 
CHAPTER XVI. 
RUTACE^. 
Character of the Order. — Flowers of all hermaphrodite. Calyx 
with 4 — 5, rarely 3 divisions, toothed, cleft or parted. Petals 
equal in number to the divisions of the calyx, and alternating with 
them, usually distinct and longer than the calyx. Stamens sometimes 
equal in number with the petals, and alternating with them ; some- 
times double that number, with the alternate ones ehortest : sometimes 
these last are abortive, and of a different figure from the others. Fila- 
ments inserted in the gynophore, rarely beneath the hypogynous disk, 
and more rarely perigynous, or adhering to the bottom of the calyx, in 
consequence of the disk being joined with it ; they are either naked or 
furnished with a scale at the base, free, very rarely connected at the 
base, or glued to the c jroUa, as in those with monopetalous flowers. 
Anthers two-celled, bursting lengthwise. Ovary free, with the cells 
equal in number to the petals and opposite them, rarely fewer, verticil- 
late ; sometimes fixed around the common axis, sometimes distinct to 
the base, sometimes joined together, Ovulaj fixed to the central pla- 
Description, &c.— The plants belonging to the order RutaceaD are rarely ornamental, except in the genus 
Dictamnus. I have, however, given one species of Aplophyllum, as it is very showy in shrubberies or broad 
borders, where a mass of yellow flowers is required. The plant which gives its name to the order is the common 
rue of the gardens [Ruta graveolens)^ a well-known, strong-smelling shrub, with bluish green leaves, and yellow 
flowers. 
centa, usually two in each cell or carpel, rarely one or 4 20. Stylea 
equal in number to the cells or carpels, usually connected together !a 
one, or only connected at the base or top, rarely wholly distinct. 
Stigma of as many lobes or furrows as there are styles in those that 
are joined. Fruit sometimes simple, having as many valves as there 
are styles, with a dissepiment in the middle of each valve ; dehiscent, 
but more usually with an equal number of two-valved, separable car- 
pels, rarely indehiscent, composed of many drupes or carpels. Sarco- 
carp thin, or more or less fleshy. Endocarp thin, or woody, closely ad- 
hering to the sarcocarp, or separable from it into a two-valved, elastic 
cocculum. Seeds fewer than the ovulae, from abortion, with a mem- 
branous, or usually with a testaceous covering. Albumen fleshy, or 
cartilaginously horny, rarely wanting. Embryo white or greenish, 
with a straight radicle pointing towards the top of the cells, rarely 
turned obliquely towards the hylum. Cotyledons of various forms. 
GENUS I. 
DICTAMNUS, Lin. THE FRAXINELLA. 
Lin. Syst. DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx five-parted, unequal. Petals unequal. Stamens ten, declinate. Style one. Capsule substipitate, composed 
of five two-seeded carpels. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — The two species composing this genus are well-known showy border-flowers. The 
origin of the name Dictamnus is not known ; but that of Fraxinella signifies " little-ash," in allusion to the 
pinnate leaves. 
1.— DICTAMNUS FRAXINELLA, Pers. THE COMMON FRAXINELLA. 
Synonymes. — D. albus, Lin, ; D. rubra, Link ; False Dittany, 
Gerard; White Dittany, Parkinson. 
with purple flowers ; b\it they will frequently come up in the same 
bed when raised from seed. 
Specific Character. — Leaflets 4 — 5 pairs, cordate at the base. 
Varieties. — There are two kinds, one with white flowers, and one acute at the apex, Bnely serrulated ; racemes long j calyx unequal. 
Description, &c. — This plant is a very interesting one, from the discovery made by the daughter of 
Linnsus respecting it. The plant exhales a kind of gaseous vapour ; and this lady happening to set a candle 
