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Affinities. Formerly combined with Ericaceae, from which the order 
differs in its inferior ovary and succulent fruit. It is confounded by Achille 
Richard with Escalloniaceae, which are essentially distinguished by their flowers 
being polypetalous, the anthers bursting lengthwise, &c. &c. &c. Myrtacese 
are obviously separated by being polypetalous, by the leaves being opposite 
and marked with transparent dots, &c. 
Geography. Natives of North America, where they are found in great 
abundance as far as high northern latitudes ; sparingly in Europe ; and not 
uncommonly on high land in the Sandwich Islands. 
Properties. Much the same as those of Ericacese : their bark and leaves 
are astringent, slightly tonic, and stimulating. The berries of many are eaten, 
under the names of Cranberry, Bilberry, Whortleberry, &c. Several species 
are choice subjects of the gardener’s care. 
GENERA. 
Vaccinium, L. 
Oxycoccus, Pens. 
Gaylussacia, H. B. K. 
Lussacia, Spr. 
Thibaudia, Pav. 
Cainnium, Thouars. 
Agapetes, Don. 
Ceratostema, Juss. 
Cavendishia, Lindl. 
Symphysia, Presl. 
Sphyrospermum, P. et 
Endl. 
Order CLXVIII. EPACRIDACEt^:. 
Epacride^, R. Brown Prodr. 535. (1810) ; Link Handh. 1. GOl. (1829), a § o/Ericeae. 
Essential Character. — Calyx 5-parted (very seldom 4-partedj, often coloured, per- 
sistent. Corolla hypogynous, monopetalous, either deciduous or withering, sometimes 
capable of being separated into 5 pieces, its limb with 5 (rarely 4) equal divisions, some- 
times, in consequence of the cohesion of the segments, bursting transversely ; the aestivation 
valvular or imbricated. Stamens equal in number to the segments of the corolla, and alter- 
nate with them ; very seldom fewer in number. Filaments arising from the corolla, or 
hypogynous. Anthers simple, with a single receptacle of pollen, which forms a complete 
partition sometimes having a border ; undivided, opening longitudinally. Pollen either 
nearly round or formed of 3 connate grains. Ovary sessile, usually surrounded at the base 
with 5 distinct or connate scales ; with several, rarely a single, cell ; ovules solitary or 
indefinite ; style 1 ; stigma simple, or occasionally toothed. Fruit drupaceous, baccate, or 
capsular. Seeds with albumen. Embryo taper, straight, in the axis, more than half as 
long as the albumen. — Shrubs or small trees, their hair, when present, being simple. Leaves 
alternate, very rarely opposite, entire or occasionally serrated, usually stalked ; their bases 
sometimes dilated, cucullate, overlapping each other and half sheathing the stem. Flowers 
w-hite or purple, seldom blue, either in spikes or terminal racemes, or solitary and axillary ; 
the calyx or pedicels with 2 or several bracts, which are usually of the same texture as the 
calyx. 
Affinities. This order differs from Ericaceae solely in the structure of 
the anther ; but that organ being one of the principal features of Ericaceae, 
any material deviation from it acquires a peculiar degree of consequence. In 
Ericaceae the anther consists of 2 cells, usually furnished with peculiar appen- 
dages ; in Epacridaceae is is simply 1 -celled, with no appendages whatever. 
The order like both the last is remarkable for containing spdcies with both 
definite and indefinite seeds. 
Geography. All natives of the Indian archipelago, or Australasia, or 
Polynesia, where they abound as Heaths do at the Cape of Good Hope. It is 
remarkable that only 1 or 2 of the H eath tribe are found in the countries occu- 
pied by Epacridaceae. 
Properties. The fruit of Lissanthe sapida, called the Australian cran- 
berry, is eatable. Chiefly remarkable for the great beauty of the flowers of 
many species. 
