tions, if so they are to be called, are the deviations of nature, and hence proper to a natural system; but, instead of their being objectionable deviations, they are in strict accordance with the principles of the system, for they depend either upon individual idiosyncracies, or upon the greater or less development of common properties; and when the system of affinities not only associates plants which are generally wholesome in groups distinct from those which are as generally noxious, but likewise indicates most unexpectedly a third series, in which the properties are variable, from the varied development and varied proportions of the common constituents, it not only fulfils but far exceeds its primary intention. But the truth is that the system of natural affinities has done so much more than could have been reasonably expected, that some unreasonable cavillers would require it to reconcile things that are incompatible, and to do, not only what is impossible to be done, but that which would not be desirable even it were to be effected.

RHEADOSE.

(3472.) The Rosales not referable to either of the preceding suborders, Angelicosa and Myrtosa, are comprehended in this, the Rheudosa. It therefore includes all those exogenous or dicotyledonous Angiospermæ in which the perianth is double, and the petals discrete and exserted with the stamens, from the receptacle or thalamus. Hence this group is equivalent to the hypogynous polypetalous dicotyledons of Jussieu, and the thalamiflorous exogenæ of De Candolle.

(3473.) The collective term Rhoadosa, a derivative of Rhaas, a well known and normal species, is preferred to the periphrases, Hypogynous polypetalous dicotyledons, or Thalamiflorous angiospermous exogenæ, not only to avoid unnecessary circumlocution, but because they both tend to convey erroneous impressions. For, notwithstanding the general affinity of the plants associated in the group is freely admitted, and although the Rhoadose are for the most part either exogenous or dicotyledonous, and many are both, still there are some which are exceptions to the former rule, some to the latter, and others perhaps are neither.

(3474.) But, besides these common collective signs, there are others, which, although less general, are so very frequent in their occurrence, that they may be regarded in some measure as characteristic. Of these the non-adhesion of the torus, when present, either to the ovaries or calyx, and the distinct exsertion of the sepals, petals, and stamens, are the most important, as they strongly contrast the Rhoadose with the two other contingent suborders, in which they are continually united to each other, and the calyx and disk so often either petaliferous or stamiferous, or both. [1913-6.] Furthermore, the sepals in the Rhoadosæ are most commonly discrete, as well as the petals, and the fruit much more frequently apocarpous than in either of the preceding groups.

(3475.) Hence, selecting the chief differential signs to form a general diagnostic rule, the Rhoadosa may be said to be thalamiflorous, angiospermous, apopetalous exogenæ, or dicotyledons, i. e. Rosales, with hypogynous stamens and petals, the latter being discrete, and the disk, when present, not adhering either to the calyx or the germen.

(3476.) The subordinate groups into which the genera here associated have been formed differ much both in number and extent, according to the views of various systematic writers: as, in previous instances, an attempt has been made to reconcile the two extremes, and to combine the advantages of both; for, while the

types are equivalent to the small orders of Brown, De Candolle, and most modern systematists, the sections represent the larger and more comprehensive ones of Linneus and Jussieu. The succession of the groups is also another point of variance, no two authorities being accordant; but it is a matter of very secondary importance; and the course here pursued is the descent previously hinted at [1909-11,] from the confines of the synpetalous syringales, with which the Vines and the Ivies are related, to the Celastrina, which are intimately connected with the bordering Euphorbinæ. Some curious analogies will also be traceable in this scheme between the opposite types and sections of the ascending and descending scales, as of the Acerine with the Celastrina; the Rutine with the Terebinthina; the Rhaadina with the Cicerine; the Ranunculina with the Rosinæ, &c.

VITINE.

(3477.) The Vines and their allies, besides their immediate connexion with the Araliacea through Hedera, being border groups, like the Loranthine of the

A. Swietenia febrifuga. c. Swietenia Mahogoni. (a) The fruit. (b) The axis, after the separation of the valves. (c) A seed. (d) The embryo. B. Vitis vinifera. Branch, with leaves, fruit, and tendrils. (a) Flowers. (b) A flower isolated before expansion. (c) The same expanded, to shew the petals coherent by their apices before they fall and suffer the anthers to shed their pollen. (d) A flower after the corolla has fallen, to shew the disk, the sub-hypogynous stamens. and the pistil. (e) Section of the germen, shewing the same parts and the twin ovules. (f) Section of the fruit, to shew the two cells. (g and h) Sections of seeds. (i) The embryo.

Angelicose, and the Cucurbitina of the Myrtosa, indicate their proximity to the Syringales by the occasional adhesion of their petals. The analogy which they

bear to the Cucurbitinæ, the parallel group of the Myrtosæ, is likewise worthy of remark, for as in the synpetalous Papayacea the plants are arboreous and the stems destitute of tendrils, while in the Cucurbitacea, where the petals are sometimes free, the stems are scandent and cirrhose, so in Leeacee the corolla is synpetalous, and the stem arboreous and excirrhose; while in the Viteacea, where the petals are discrete, the stems are climbing and furnished with tendrils; the stamens also in both groups are often monadelphous.

(3478.) Differentially considered, the Vitina or Ampelidea are hypogynous Rosales or Rhoadosa, with the petals broad at the base, (occasionally concrete,) and valvate in æstivation. The stamina definite, often monadelphous. The germen undivided, 2 or more celled, with central placentæ, mostly definite ovules, and a single style.

(3479.) The genera included in this section are associated to form three types, which, from Leea, l'itis, and Melia, are called the Leeaccæ, Viteacea, and Meliacea.

(3480.) LEEACE. Leea and Lasianthera, which together form this small type, are non-scandent shrubs, with irregularly angled branches and opposite leaves, (those towards the ends of the branches are alternate,) petiolate, pinnate, with serrate folioles, and furnished with stipules, but excirrhose. The inflorescence is paniculate or cymose, the peduncles opposite the leaves, and the flowers regular and united.

The calyx is free and 5-toothed, the torus urceolate, the petals 5, alternate with the lobes of the calyx, connate by their ungues, reflexed at their points, deciduous, and valvate in æstivation. The stamina are definite (5), usually mona delphous, opposite the petals, and exserted with them from the outside of the torus, and hence scarcely hypogynous. The anthers are 2-celled, versatile in their position, but not oscillating: the locules are parallel, and dehisce lengthwise by clefts. The germen is 4-6-celled and the cells uniovulate.

The fruit dry or baccate, formed of 4-6 carpels, which are separable, each being monospermous. The seeds are erect, the albumen cartilaginous and lobed, and the excentric embryo round, acuminate, and curved.

(3481.) Hence, differentially considered, the Leeacea are excirrhose synpetalous l'itina, with subhypogynous petals and stamens, the latter being alternate to the former, the germen 3-6-celled, the seeds solitary, the albumen lobed, and the embryo bowed.

(3482.) The Leeacea are homely innocuous plants, the berries of which, though harmless, can scarcely be considered esculent, and they are chiefly interesting from the union of their petals and the subhypogynous exsertion of their stamens, which indicate them as transitional from the preceding suborders to the present. The root of Leea macrophylla is mucilaginous and astringent, and seems likely to become serviceable as a dye-stuff.

(3483.) VITEACEE. This type, sometimes called Ampelideæ or Sarmentosa, is usually combined with the preceding, but their differences are so great as not to justify more than a sectional connexion. Thus limited by the exclusion of the Meliacea, the Viteacea are shrubs with sarmentose scandent stems, tumid separable nodi, simple or compound leaves, the lower ones opposite, the upper ones alternate, furnished with stipules, and often with tendrils.

The inflorescence is racemose or paniculate, the peduncles opposite the leaves, and often with their pedicles converted into cirrhi: the flowers are small, green, or yellowish, rarely purple, inconspicuous, regular, and united.

The calyx is small, nearly entire, or with 4-5 teeth, and open during æstivation. The torus is disk-like, the petals (4-5) are free and exserted on the outside of the edge of the disk, alternate with the sepals, broad at the bases, inflexed at their points, and subvalvate in æstivation. The stamens are equal in number to the petals, and exserted from the disk opposite to them. The filaments are distinct or but slightly connate at the base, the anthers ovate, versatile, and oscillating, 2celled, with opposite parallel locules dehiscing lengthwise. The germen superior, subglobose, formed of two connate carpels, 2-celled, and each cell 2-ovuled. The ovules are collateral and erect, and exserted from the base of the central column. The style is single, short or none, and the stigma simple.

The fruit is a juicy grape or uva (not a true berry), generally by abortion 1-celled and 4-seeded. The seeds are often by abortion reduced in number, erect, osseous, and, when mature, separating from the placenta. The albumen is hard and fleshy, the embryo erect, only half as long as the albumen, the radicle taper and inferior, hence next the hilum, and the cotyledons lanceolate, plano-convex, and foliaceous in germination.

(3484.) Therefore, selecting the chief differential characters, the Viteaceæ are sarmentose litine, with apopetalous corollæ, subhypogynous stamens opposite the petals, a 2-celled germen, twin collateral ovules, hard albumen, erect embryo, and often furnished with tendrils.

(3485.) Cissus, which is both the Greek and Arabic name for the ivy, (koσos, qissos,) in botany belongs to a genus of ivy or vine-like plants, which are acid and slightly astringent. The pulpy fruits of several species, as C. uvifera, sycioides, and ovata, are esculent, but not very palatable. The root of C. salutaris is said to be serviceable in dropsical complaints, and the leaves of C. acida and C. setosa are used as topical applications to reduce glandular swellings, or, when heated in oil, to forward suppuration. C. caustica is so acrid that it inflames the month when the leaves are chewed. C. glandulosa and quadrangularis are remarkable for the quantity of watery sap their stems contain, and which, on cutting them, pours out in such abundance that they are occasionally resorted to by weary travellers to quench their thirst. The young shoots of this species, as well as those of C. rotundifolia, are eaten in India and Arabia as potherbs.

(3486.) Ampelopsis is a genus which, as its name imports, bears a great resemblance to the vine. A. hederacea is the 5-leaved ivy or Virginian creeper, now so commonly grown in this country, and remarkable for the brilliant red hue its leaves assume in the autumn. This change of colour depends upon the development of a considerable quantity of acid, indeed of so much, that when the leaves are bruised and applied to the skin, they will raise blisters; and hence they have been occasionally employed as cataplasms to relieve rheumatic pains.

(3487.) Few plants have been more vituperated and cherished than the vine (Vitis), and it must be confessed that few afford more grateful and refreshing fruit for food, or produce more invigorating and wholesome drinks, notwithstanding the manifold abuses of its fermented juice, and of the ardent spirit distilled

therefrom. The culture of the vine may be traced to very high antiquity, and its growth, and not improbably the preparation of wine, were branches of antediluvian industry, for we read that, immediately after the deluge, Noah planted a vineyard and drank of the wine.

(3488.) There are several species of Vitis that bear eatable fruits, but none are comparable in importance with the common grape-vine, V. vinifera. V.labrusca and laciniosa are cultivated, but the latter as much for curiosity as use, and their hybrids with the former are not practically distinguishable from its proper varieties. The American fox-grape (V. vulpina), so called from the peculiar foxy flavour of its fruit, which is not ameliorated by cultivation, is on that account far inferior to the grapes of the Western world, and hence is but little esteemed.

(3489.) Vine-growers enumerate in their catalogues nearly 300 varieties of grapes, of which between fifty and sixty are cultivated in Britain. These are classed according to the form and colour of the fruit; thus, 1st, the round black grapes; 2d, the long black ones; 3d, the round white or green grapes; 4th, the long white or green ones; and, 5th, grapes of any other colours, such as red, roseate, blue, greyish, or variegated in stripes.

(3490.) Of the round black grapes, the Damascus, the black Lisbon, the muscat or purple Constantia, and the black morocco, are the most esteemed: the claret grape is remarkable for its juicy pulp being of a deep purple or bloodcolour, while in the others the dark tint is confined to the skin. The Ascalon or black Corinth, called also the grape of Zante, is important, as affording the Corinths or currants of commerce.

(3491.) Of the long black grapes, the Muscadel, the Burgundy, the purple Hamburgh, the black raisin, and black Palestine, are the best.

(3492.) Of the round white grapes, the Amber Muscadine, the Malmsey Muscadine, (which is a variety of V. laciniosa,) the white Muscadine, the Pearl-drop, and the white Constantia, are all excellent. The white Corinth or Ascalon is often without pips, and this variety it is which, when dried, is known as Sultana raisins.

(3493.) Of the long white grapes, the White Sokars, the White Muscat, the Morillon or genuine Tokay, the white raisin and others, might be mentioned. The Verdelho, from which Madeira wine is made, is an excellent grape, but the stones should be rejected, as they are said to be deleterious when eaten.

(3494.) Of the fancy grapes, the red Muscat, the blue Tokay, the striped Aleppo, and the variegated Chasselas, are all worthy of cultivation.

(3495.) The grape-vine is believed to be a native of Persia and the neighbouring countries, and to have migrated from the East through Egypt, Greece, Sicily, and Italy, to Portugal, Spain, and France; and even as far north as St. Petersburgh and Stockholm. Grapes are now grown in houses both in Russia and Sweden, but the finest and most luscious fruit is produced in the British vineries. The flavour of our hot-house grape, owing to the care and skill of the cultivators, is said to be far superior to that of any grown either on the European or Asiatic continents. Grapes may be profitably cultivated in the open air, from latitude 21° to 51°; that is, from Schiraz in Persia, to Coblentz on the Rhine. Vineyards were formerly common in England; but, although in some situations, and in low rich soil, and warm defended situations, such as near Battersea, in