kingdom was divided by Jussieu, and containing three times the number of orders indicated by Linneus, imperatively demands subordinate association; and it will be found that the numerous types, or natural groups of genera, may be collected into a few districts or sections; and these, although their number is not great, it seems expedient to arrange in two or three sub-orders, equivalent to the Thalamiflora and Calyciflora of De Candolle, or the Epi- Peri- and Hypo-petalæ of Jussieu. For, as before explained, the anomalies (?) which are grave objections to such grouping when given as a system of analysis, cease to be such when it is regarded only as a synthetic scheme, and especially when another, an artificial one, is adopted as an index.

(1903.) The sections included in the order Rosales, and which are themselves formed of associated types and genera, are distributable, and appear to be most advantageously distributed, into three sub-orders; and, as these are equivalent, or nearly so, to those already mentioned as having been devised by Jussieu, and in part adopted by De Candolle, the names devised by Richard may be retained, at least as synonymes of Myrtosa, Angelicose, and Rhaadose, the terms here employed, or of any others that have been or may be imposed.

(1904.) These intermediate groups between orders and sections, although not essential, are convenient grades; and hence, notwithstanding their abandonment by some modern writers, they are, with certain modifications, introduced into these outlines, from a conviction of their utility, and a firm belief that they render comparatively easy the course of an otherwise somewhat complex investigation. And therefore, even were such subdivisions less natural than they really are, it would be expedient to retain them, and especially here, at least as conventional demarcations of a most extensive order, which is remarkable, not only for the number, but also for the importance of the plants it comprehends.

(1905.) The Barberry, the Ranunculus, the Water-lily, and the Poppy; the Rock-rose, the Carnation, Geraniums, Mallows, Hypericums, Rues, Maples, and Vines, are sectional examples of the numerous plants included in the sub-order Hypopetala or Rhæadosæ.

(1906.) The Holly and the Cashew Nut, Pulse, Roses, Fuschias, Myrtles, Currants, Melons, Saxifrages, and their respective allies, being peripetalous Rosales, are associated to form the sub-order Peripetalæ or Myrtosæ.

(1907.) And the Umbelliferous plants, including the true Umbellina, the Aralias, and the Loranthina, form the sub-order Epipetalæ or Angelicosæ.

(1908.) The terms hypopetala, peripetala, and epipetala, adopted from Richard, seem to be preferable as names of the sub-orders to those which have been invented by De Candolle; because, although the thalamiflora of the latter writer are equivalent to the hypopetala of the former, the calyciflora of the one includes both the peri- and epi-petalous plants of the other; which groups, not only out of respect to Jussieu, but also from regard to their structural peculiarities, it seems advisable to keep primarily distinct.

(1909.) The peripetalous and hypopetalous Rosales are closely connected both with the preceding and succeeding orders; the Celastracea of the one, and the Menispermacea of the other, being intimately allied with the Empetracee and Euphorbiacea of the Querneales; while the synsepalous and catapetalous mallows of the latter, and gourds of the former, anticipate the union of the corolla, which is the common characteristic of the Syringales. And furthermore, notwithstanding the epipetalæ are affianced to the caprifoliacea and the so called compound

flowers, they bear no slight similitude in their mode of inflorescence, as well as in other particulars, to the Euphorbina. Indeed, the types and sections included among the Rosales, like others already mentioned, seem to pass from the confines of the Querneales to the limits of the succeeding order, and then to return to the point from which the circuit commenced. Instances of this return of a natural group upon itself are frequent in the vegetable, as well as in the animal kingdom. Examples of it have been given in the algae and the fungi, and others might be adduced from other classes.

(1910.) Thus the Rosales proceed from the crowberries, (or empetraceæ,) in which the corolla is occasionally developed through the hollies and cashews, the pulse, roses, myrtles, currants, melons, saxifrages and ivies, with their respective allies, to the Loranthacea, which, having both apopetalous and synpetalous corollæ, connect them with the Syringales; and then return from the confines of the succeeding order through the umbelliferæ, vines, maples, rues, mallows, pinks, rock-roses, poppy-like plants, water-lilies, ranunculi, barberries, &c. to the Euphorbiacea, with which the Menispermaceæ are intimately allied.

(1911.) The excursive sections are peripetalous or calyciflorous, and form the first sub-order; the returning ones are hypopetalous or thalamiflorous, and form the last sub-order; the second sub-order contains the umbelliferous plants and their epipetalous allies, which are included in the calyciflora of De Candolle, but which seem to have been properly distinguished by Jussieu.

(1912.) Perhaps this tendency may account for the diversity of opinions that are entertained as to the sequence of the families in the natural system; for, without presuming to declare that such a return is made by nature, it may safely be affirmed that frequent indications of it are, as it were, accidentally surprised, and doubtless many more, if sought for, might be found.

(1913.) The sub-order Myrtosa, or peripetalæ, is formed by the segregation of those sections of the Rosales in which the petals and stamens are exserted from the calyx or the disk.

But, besides the above chief differential signs, the calyx is in general synsepalous, its leaves being more or less connected with each other, especially towards the base. The torus likewise is adnate to the inside of the calyx, or to the stipe of the ovary; and hence often bears the stamens and corolla. The petals are usually free, but the ovaries are either free or adherent to the calyx.

(1914.) The torus or disk, in this sub-order, forms an admirable morphological study, as it is very varied and often betrays its origin. It is a peculiar organ, appearing to be an intermediate stage between the peduncle and floral envelopes, or perhaps rather, the floral coverings in part remaining undeveloped; hence its union with the tube of the calyx or base of the ovaries; and hence also the exsertion and apparent rise of the petals and stamens therefrom.

(1915.) The sub-order Angelicosæ or epipetalæ, is formed by the association of those few Rosales in which the stamens and petals are exserted from an epigynous disk or torus; which, instead of lining the calyx, is seated on the summit of the germen.

(1916.) The sub-order Rhæadosæ or hypopetalæ comprehends all those sections of the order Rosales in which the petals and stamens are hypogynous, and are exserted directly from the receptacle; being, as well as the torus, free from any union with the ovaries or calyx. Hence, they are readily distinguished from the two preceding groups.

MYRTOSE.

Peripetala, (Juss. and Richard,) part of Calycifloræ, (De Cand.)

(1917.) In the several types and sections of the Querneales in which the law of development tends to the suppression of the petals, or rather to the nonevolution of a corolla, the calyx was found occasionally to become highly co loured and petaloid, as in the Thymelidæ, and in many of the Polygonacea. Sometimes also degenerate stamina were observed to assume the form of petals, or petal-like scales or nectaries, to be produced within the perianth, as in Daphne Trapa, Ricinus, the Chailletiacea, and others. So likewise among the Rosales in which a whorl of petals is normally developed there are frequent tendencies observable to relapse into the former state by the abortion of the corolla; and in no sections is this tendency more common than in those which bound the apetalous province, and connect the two orders by their relationship with the Euphorbinæ.

Thus in Alzatia, one of the Celastracea, the law of superdevelopment seems to be disregarded, and even in other genera, as in Rhamnus, not to have become fully established, and its authority but imperfectly confirmed. In these and similar misnamed anomalies may be traced the course pursued by nature to avoid any violent or sudden change, even between the larger groups or orders, which pass into each other by a like easy and gradual transition, as the types, the genera, and the species do. They are in fact the links made visible of that mysterious chain, which insensibly connects the most distant parts, and harmonizes the diversity of the whole.

ILICINE OR CELASTRINE.

(1918.) Celastrus, the staff-tree; Ilex, the holly; and Rhamnus, the buckthorn; are the normal genera of three types, associated with Brunia and its allies, to form the present section. The Celastrineæ, Ilicineæ, and Rhamneæ, of modern writers, were conjoined in his Rhamni by Jussieu; and these, with most of their then known allies, were included in the 43d natural order of Linneus, which, from the bushy growth of the majority, he termed Dumosa.

(1919.) The Ilicina, differentially considered, are peripetalous Rosales or Myrtosæ, with impunctate and mostly simple leaves, imbricate, (rarely valvate,) æstivation of the calyx, definite stamina, carpels few, generally four or less; seeds mostly albuminous, and the embryo straight.

(1920.) AQUIFOLIACEÆ. The holly (Ilex Aquifolium), gives its old generic and modern specific name to the present type, which includes two subtypes, the Stackhouside and Aquifolidæ, so called from the respective normal genera of

each.

(1921.) The Aquifoliacea are herbaceous plants or shrubs, seldom assuming the port of trees, with alternate or opposite, simple, entire leaves, often coriaceous; in the one subtype (Stackhousida), furnished with minute stipules, in the other (Aquifolida), exstipulate.

B

a

B. Ilex Aquifolium. Branch with leaves and fruit.

(a) Flower separated, to shew the 4 stamina alternate with the petals.

(b) Another view of a flower, to shew the calyx, corolla, and pistil, with its 4 stigmata.

(c) The fruit.

(d) Transverse section, to shew the 4 cells.
(e) The seed.

(ƒ) Vertical section, to shew the embryo.
(g) Two views of the embryo isolated.

The inflorescence is axillary or terminal, and either fasciculate or solitary. The flowers are small (in the Stackhousidæ tribracteate), united, or by abortion polygamous. The calyx is synsepalous, 4 or 5 cleft, and imbricate in æstivation. The corolla formed of 4-5 petals, and more or less adherent by their claws, or catapetalous, and the disk is absent. The stamina are definite, free, and exserted either from the calyx or corolla.

The germen is superior, 2-6-celled, and the ovules solitary. The styles short, either free or connate, and the stigmata simple. The fruit is indehiscent, dry, or drupaceous, the seeds solitary, exalbuminous, and exurillate, with a straight axile embryo.

(1922.) Hence, differentially considered, the Aquifoliacea are catapetalous Ilicine, with an imbricate æstivation, subperigynous stamens, superior germen, and albuminous exarillate seeds.

(1923.) The two subtypes Stackhouside and Aquifolidæ differ in the following particulars.

(1924.) The Stackhousidæ are herbs with stipulate leaves, the calyx ventricose and bearing both petals and stamens, the styles lateral, the ovarium lobed, the fruit dry, and the seeds erect.

(1925.) The Aquifolidæ are shrubs or small trees, with exstipulate leaves, a small calyx not bearing either the petals or stamens; the corolla being hypogynous and staminiferous, the ovary truncate, the fruit fleshy, and the seeds pendulous, and nearly sessile, with a small chalaza.

(1926.) Stackhousida. The Stackhousida, which are natives of New Holland, connect, according to the views of Dr. Brown, the Celastracea with the Euphorbiacea, and are thus interesting as they corroborate the alliance which was anticipated by the Empetree. Of the properties of these plants there is at present nothing known.

(1927.) Aquifolidæ. The common holly, holme, or hulver, of which we have many varieties, is the only British species of Ilex. Here it seldom exceeds the size of a bush; but we have some in Needwood forest, Staffordshire, and in the woods of Dumbartonshire, which are thirty feet or more in height, and in Bretagny it becomes a tree, growing as high as fifty feet. Its prickly green leaves fit it well for hedges; and, when Dutch horticulture prevailed here, gardens were portioned out by well clipped holly-hedges. The celebrated Evelyn had one, at Says' Court, 400 feet long, nine feet high, and five feet broad, which he had planted at the suggestion of Peter the Great, who resided at his house when he worked in the dockyards at Deptford. And in his Sylva he asks with rapture, "Is there under heaven a more glorious and refreshing object of the kind than such an impregnable hedge, glittering with its armed and varnished leaves, the taller standards at orderly distances, blushing with their natural coral."

The holly is a very slow growing tree, and its timber is among the hardest of the white woods. It is much used by turners, and especially in the manufacture of Tunbridge-ware.

The liber abounds with a tenacious substance, which, when separated by bruising and maceration, is known as bird-lime.

Both the bark and leaves of holly are bitter, and have been used in the cure of intermittent fevers. From the statement of an extensive series of trials made by Dr. Rousseau of Paris, and published in the Transactions of the Medico-botanical Society of London, it appears that the powder or decoction of the holly-leaves and bark, as well as a new vegetable proximate principle extracted therefrom, called Ilicine, are equally efficacious with Quinine and Peruvian bark, and in some cases appear to be more decided and beneficial in their effects. The silver medal was awarded to Dr. Rousseau for his communication by the Medico-Botanical Society, and he subsequently received a prize for the same subject from the French Academy.

(1928.) Ilex Paraguensis is the Yerva mate, Gongonha, or Jesuit's-tea, of Paraguay. This plant has been lately discovered in Brazil, about Curitiba, as well as in Paraguay, where the Jesuits draw a large revenue from the consumption of its leaves, which, when infused, form a favorite drink. In Paraguay, La Plata, Chili, Peru, and Quito, this beverage is taken at all hours of the day. The tea is made by putting "a handful of the leaves into a kind of teapot, called mate, from the spout of which the hot liquor is sucked. Some persons mix sugar with it, and others add a few drops of lemon-juice, and by pouring fresh boiling water into the vessel the infusion may be renewed. The Creoles are very fond of it, and never travel without a supply. They drink this tea at every meal, and never eat until they have taken some of it. It must be drank directly it is made, for if suffered to remain long the liquor becomes as black as ink. The pipe to the mate, or teapot, is called a bombilla, and is perforated at the top, to strain the water from the powdered herb. A whole party is supplied by handing the mate and