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Synopsis (CALCEOLARIA from calceolus)

CALCEOLARIA, from calceolus, a slipper, the shape of the flower suggesting the name. N.O., Scrophulariaceoe, or Figworts. LINNAEAN: 2, Diandria; 1, Monogynia.-The plants of this order are herbs or shrubs, varying in leafage and in the disposition of the flowers. The calyx remains after the corolla has fallen; the latter is irregular, variable, and sometimes two-lipped. The fruit is a two-celled capsule, usually of a dry nature, but occasionally somewhat fleshy, opening variously. The order is of great extent, and one of the most difficult to study in detail. Many of the species have a stigma composed of two plates, one placed next the back and the other next the front of the flower. When the corolla first expands, these plates stand apart, but when touched they collapse suddenly and with some force. A good type flower of the order is the fox-glove; the calceolaria is also strongly typical; but salpiglossis, which is included in the order, illustrates the borderland where it appears to merge into the nightshades. The English garden is rich in plants of the figwort family, for it includes not only the plants above mentioned, but also the schizanthus, verbascum, antirrhinum, pentstemon, mimulus, and many others. It is poor in plants of utility, and the few that are of service to man are mostly of an acrid or bitter quality, and employed rather as medicines than as food. A pasture herb called Melampyrum pratense is reputed to be serviceable, not only in promoting the richness of milk, but also as contributing to the butter a fine yellow colour. The calceolaria which we so prize for the adornment of the greenhouse with its splendid flowers is valued in Chili because of the colouring property of its roots, which are employed in dyeing woollen cloths crimson.

ARUM, from the Egyptian aron, the ancient name of the plant. N.O., Araceae, or Arads. LINNAEAN: 21, Monoecia; 9, Polyandria.--The plants of this order are easily recognised both by their leaves and flowers. They are always herbaceous, many are of lowly stature, as the "lords and ladies" of the hedgerow; others are rampant climbers, as the philodendron of the tropics, which clambers over trees and displays huge leaves and aerial roots high in the air amongst the branches. The sheathing of the leaves is a leading character, but a more striking sign of the order is the inflorescence, which consists of a spathe enclosing a spadix on which the several flowers are situated. In the plate the spathe is the "lily" proper, a mere expansion of the flower-stem, and within it is seen the tip of the spadix which bears two sorts of flowers, those at the base being fruitful, those above supplying the fertilising pollen from their stamens. Calyx and corolla are unknown in this order, but the spathe or "floral leaf" is often very conspicuous and characteristic. Although a very acrid and often dangerous race of plants, they contribute in a material degree to the service of man. The cuckoo pint or arum of the hedgerow is the source of the starchy substance known as Portland sago, and the roots of several tropical species are cooked as yams. They are, however, dangerous, and to chew one leaf of the common cuckoo pint will be to insure excruciating pains and some degree of danger. The porcupines of the Cape eat the roots of the trumpet lily, but they are so acrid that man can make no use of them.