154 
BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
3.—THE BLACK CURRANT. (Ribes nigrum, Lin.') 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1291 ; 2nd ed., t. 342 ; and our i Specific Character. —No prickles. Clusters hairy, pendulous, 
fig. 3, in PI. 36. \ rvith a separate flower-stalk at the base of each. Flowers oblong. 
I {Smith.) 
Description, &c. —The Black Currant is exceedingly distinct, in every respect, from the Red Currant. The 
shruh is low and spreading, with soft smooth wood, and large buds. The leaves are large, soft, and have a most 
peculiar smell ; and the fruit, which is black, is covered with an opaque skin, which is much thicker and tougher 
than that of the Red Currant. The plant is found in many parts of England and Scotland; always growing in 
a damp shady situation, and a sandy soil. 
The Rock Currant ( R. petrceum , Wulf.), and the Alpine Currant (jR. alpinum , Lin.), appear to be only 
varieties of R. spicatum. 
* * Branches prickly. Gooseberries. 
4.—THE COMMON GOOSEBERRY. 
Synonyme. — R. Uva eriepa, Smith. 
Variety. —R. G. reclinatum, Lindley. 
Engravings.— Eng. Bot., t. 1292; 2nd ed., t. 343; and our 
fig. 4, in PI. 36. 
(Ribes grossularia, Lin.) 
Specific Character. —Prickles one, two, or three under each bud. 
Branches otherwise smooth, spreading. Stalks single-flowered. 
Bracteas close together. Segments of the calyx reflexed, shorter than 
the tube. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —There are two very distinct kinds of Gooseberries ; those with smooth fruit, and those 
the fruit of which is rough. The smooth-fruited kinds are generally much larger than the others, and the 
branches of the bushes are long and arched ; they are usually called the Lancashire Gooseberries. The rough- 
fruited kinds have smaller fruit, but it possesses more flavour. The wild plant grows on old walls and in hedges ; 
but it is only found in the north of England and in Scotland, and even there it is a doubtful native. 
CHAPTER XXXV. 
THE EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY. (Onagrarge, Juss.) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx superior, tubular, with the limb 
either 4 or 5-lobed; the lobes cohering in various degrees, with a val- 
vate estivation. Petals generally equal in number to the lobes of the 
calyx, into the throat of which they are inserted ; regular, with a 
twisted aestivation. Stamens definite, inserted into the calyx ; fila¬ 
ments distinct; pollen triangular, usually cohering by filaments. 
Ovarium of several cells, generally crowned by a disk ; style filiform; 
stigma either capitate or 4-lobed. Fruit baccate or capsular, many- 
seeded, with from 2 to 4 cells. Seeds numerous, without albumen; 
embryo straight; radicle long and taper; cotyledons very short. 
Herbaceous plants or shrubs. Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, 
entire, or toothed. Flowers red, purple, white, blue, or yellow, 
axillary, or in terminal spikes. (Lindley.) 
Description, &c.— The species belonging to this order are all well-known weeds, some of which, sucli as 
the French Willow Herb and the Evening Primrose, are remarkable for their beauty ; and for growing wild 
in the most dreary and desolate places. Botanically speaking, the plants belonging to this order are easily 
distinguished by all their parts being in fours; and the seed-vessel being so decidedly below the flower, as to 
seem a part of the stalk. 
Flowers of the waste ; the Epilobia throw 
A rosy veil o’er what is drear below. 
