BE R' RE RIS UMBELLA'TA. 
UMBELLATE BARBERRY. 
Class. 
HEXANDRIA. 
Order. 
MONOGYNI A . 
Natural Order 
berberaceas 
Native of 
E. Indies. 
Height. 
4 feet. 
Flowers in 
June. 
Habit. 
Shrub. 
Introduced 
in 1838 ? 
No. 1166. 
The name, Berberis, seems to have been used by 
Eastern nations, for a wild berry, and probably a 
species of Barberry, but its derivation is somewhat 
uncertain. 
Iliis is a genus of plants which, we are glad to 
observe, is obtaining more attention than formerly ; 
indeed, its claims to notice are increased by the late 
intioduction ol new species. As an earth screen, in 
shrubberries, the dwarf species are admirable ; and 
as they increase rapidly by offsets, they may be 
planted on a large scale about the borders of parks 
and private road-sides, where their evergreen foliage 
and abundant flowers would be novel and orna- 
mental. The paucity ot new shrubs in many well- 
kept parks is somewhat remarkable. 
We have previously mentioned the peculiar irri- 
tability of Barberry flowers, but from the interest 
they usually excite, we may be pardoned if we again 
allude to it. Dr. Lindley, in explaining its peculi- 
arities, has quoted some experiments with poison, 
which are interesting. He says “The stamens, 
when the filament is touched on the inside, with the 
point of. a pin, or any other hard instrument, bend 
