132 
THALAMI FLORJE. 
There are also two varieties of this species.; 
Var. a. pyriformis ; Barbadoes Grape Fruit. 
Var. j 3. maiiformis ; Forbidden Fruit. 
The pear-shaped variety, as in the Shaddock, possesses most 
of the sweet principle, and is, on the whole, a preferable fruit. 
ORDER XXXIV. IIYPERICINEiE. 
Calyx 4-5 partite or of 4-5 sepals, persistent, un- 
equal. Petals 4-5, liypogynous, alternating with the 
divisions of the calyx ; aestivation twisted. Stamens 
numerous, polyadelphous, anthers versatile. Ovary 
single, superior : styles many : stigmata simple. Fruit 
a berry or capsule. Seeds very many : embryo 
straight : radicle inferior : albumen none. 
Herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees, with a resinous juice. 
Flowers generally yellow. There are but few tropical species 
belonging to this order. The greater number are herbaceous 
and undershrubby plants, delighting in the shade of groves and 
thickets, in the cooler parts of Europe and Asia. The juice of 
many is slightly purgative, and several are said to possess a 
febrifuge property. 
Ascyrum. 
Calyx of 4 sepals ; the 2 outer small, the 2 inner 
larger. Petals 4. Stamens co, scarcely united at 
the base. Styles 1-3 . — De Cancl. 
Shrubby plants. Name, from a privative, and tfxvgos rough- 
ness ; i. e. a smooth plant. 
1. Ascyrum hypericoi'des. St Andrew's -wort. 
Stem fruticose, branchlets ancipital, leaves oblongo- 
linear obtuse 2-glanduIoseat the base pellucido-punc- 
tulated, inner sepals elliptico-ovate, styles 2, capsule 
1 -celled. 
Swartz, Obs. 294. — Browne, 309. 
HAB. Common in the mountains on barren clayey soil. 
FTj. Throughout the year. 
