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Synopsis: Liliaceoe

LACHENALIA reveals its origin if spelt La Chenalia, M. de la Chenal, the botanist, being commemorated in the name. N.O., Liliaceoe. HYDRANGEA, from hudor or hydor, water, and aggeion, a cup; in allusion to the form of the seed-vessel. N.O., Hydrangeaceoe. LINNAEAN: 10, Decandria; 2, Digynia.--The hydrangea is often called the Chinese guelder-rose, and not only is there warrant for the association in the general appearance of the bold heads of bloom, but they agree also in the peculiarity that in every head of flowers a certain number are infertile, and these give the special character to the display. As regards true affinities, however, the hydrangeas come nearest to the saxifrages, while the deutzias and philadelphs are not far off. The plants of this order are all shrubs, with simple opposite leaves, and flowers in cymes; usually the fertile flowers are very small and crowded in the centre, while the flowers on the outer part of the cyme are barren and larger than the rest, and, in fact, the chief source of those attractive qualities that persuade us to cultivate them. The species are mostly natives of the temperate parts of Asia and America, about half of them belonging to China and Japan, and there are two that belong to the southern hemisphere. They delight in rich soil with much moisture, and some amount of shade. In a dry soil exposed to sun and wind, they are most unhappy. One species, known as Hydrangea Thunbergi, furnishes from its leaves a tea that is greatly valued in Japan, where it is called Ama-tsja, the tea of heaven. The other species, so far as known, have only their beauty to recommend them to notice. CONVALLARIA, from convallis, a valley, and rica, a mantle, in allusion to the leaves. N.O., Liliaceoe. LINNAEAN: 6, Hexandria; 1, Monogynia. HYACINTH is named from the beautiful youth who was killed by Zephyrus, and by Apollo was changed into a flower, in which his curling hair is still traceable. N.O., Liliaceoe.

CYTISUS is a geographical name derived from Cythrus, one of the Cyclades, where one of the species was found. N.O., Fabaceoe, or leguminous plants. LINNAEAN: 16, Monadelphus; 6, Decandria.