70 
Dicotyledons with Gamopetalous Flowers — Apocynacece. 
and parlours, of South European and Oriental origin, is another species of dangerous repute. Besides the two 
species of Periwinkle (Vinca major and V. minor) introduced from the Continent, and grown in every shady corner 
of our gardens, and Oleander ( Nerium ), several showy-flowered Apocyneae are cultivated in plant-houses, as various 
garden varieties of Tropical American Allamandas , Indian Beanmontia , Chinese Rhynchospermum with jessamine¬ 
like flowers, the common white and rose-flowered Vinca rosea of the Tropics, and species of Echites, Cerbera y 
Plumiera , and a few other tropical genera. 
Natural Order 
ASCLEPIADACE2E. Tab. 58. 
Diagnosis. —Usually woody or wiry climbers, with opposite entire leaves ; 
sometimes succulent and leafless. Corolla hypogynous, regular. . Stamens 
epipetalous, as many as corolladobes and alternate with them; united into a 
column around the stigma: pollen usually coherent in masses, and attached 
in pairs by a minute gland to the stigma. Carpels 2, distinct in the ovary, 
united above. 
Distribution. —Almost wholly Tropical and Subtropical, with many peculiar genera at the Cape 
of Good Hope; one of the principal of which, the Carrion-flowers (Stapelia), is remarkable in its leaf¬ 
less, tubercled, fleshy stems and livid flowers of ill-favoured smell. None occur in Britain. 
COROLLA unappendaged within, or (and usually) with one row or more of distinct or united scales inserted 
around or upon the column of stamens. 
