130 
BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
have, I think very properly, been removed by Dr. Lindley to another order, which he calls Pomaceae. The Rose 
Family, as at present restricted, contains fourteen genera; nearly all of which, excepting the first, have flowers 
which in their form and general appearance bear considerable resemblance to single 'Roses. Among the genera 
still included in this order are the Plums, Cherries, and other stone fruits, and the Raspberry and the Strawberry. 
I.—THE SPIRiEA TRIBE. 
The seeds are in several follicles, which are surrounded by the calyx ; from one to six 
follicle, and hanging suspended from its inner edge. There is only one genus in this tribe, 
of which are shrubs, and some herbaceous plants. 
seeds being in each 
some of the species 
GENUS I. 
THE SPIRAEA. (Spiilea, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. 1COSANDRIA DI-PENTAGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx 5-cleft, persistent. Stamens from 10 to 50, inserted along with the petals upon a disk adhering to the calyx. 
Follicles one or several, distinct, or occasionally cohering by the base. Seeds from two to six. [Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —This genus is extremely unlike all the others included in the same order ; as its flowers 
are produced in spiral or round clusters, and its seeds are in follicles. It is, however, connected with the others, 
by the parts of the flower being all inserted in the disk which lines the tube of the calyx ; and, indeed, this pecu¬ 
liarity, when combined with the numerous stamens, forms the distinguishing characteristic of the order. The 
name of Spirosa is supposed to be derived from the Greek word signifying a cord, in allusion to the flexibility of 
the branches of the plants ; but this does not appear a very plausible derivation, as the branches are not particu¬ 
larly flexible. The genus is placed in the Linnman class Icosandria, because there are generally twenty stamens 
attached to the calyx ; and in the order Di-Pentagynia, because there are sometimes two, and sometimes five 
styles. 
1.—THE BRIDEWORT, OR WILLOW-LEAVED SPIRJEA. (Spiraea salicifolia, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1468; 2nd ed., t. 702 ; and our | Specific Character. —Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, unequally serrated, 
fig. 1 , in PL 30. | smooth. Clusters terminal, compound. [Smith.) 
Description, &c.— This very pretty shrub is only found wild in the north of England, and in Scotland. It 
is, however, common in gardens, where it is very ornamental from its delicate pale pink flowers, which grow in 
a close erect raceme, in which the stamens are most conspicuous. In my native county, Warwickshire, this 
plant is always called Queen’s Needlewort, and it is one of the very few flowers I knew before I was married. 
It grows best in thickets, where the ground is somewhat moist, and it sends out numerous suckers from the 
root. Its flowers appear in July and August. 
2.— THE COMMON DROPWORT. (Spiraea Filipendula, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot. t. 284 ; 2nd ed., t. 703 ; and our fig. 2, 
, PI. 30. 
Specific Character. — Leaves interruptedly pinnate; leaflets 
uniform, serrated, smooth. Stem herbaceous. Flowers cymose, with 
many styles. [Smith.) 
Description, &c. —This species is generally found in situations as different as possible from the last: the 
Willow-leaved Spiraea only growing in the north of England and in Scotland, and being always found in moist, 
