68 MR. BENTHAM ON CARYOPHYLLE, 
case of dimorphism observed in the flowers of Caryophylles, has 
now been ascertained to exist in so many different Polypetalous 
orders, and to be so frequently not even of specific value, that we 
cannot admit it as a generic character when unaccompanied by 
any other. 
4. Leucostemma, Benth., was a genus I originally proposed for 
two Himalayan species with tetramerous flowers, at a time when 
the number of parts was still considered as of absolute value in 
the generic distinction of Caryophylles» ; but Fenzl has since very 
properly reduced them to Stellaria, of which they have all the 
other characters. 
5. Adenonema, Bunge, containing a few high alpine Asiatic 
and South-American species, differs from Stellaria as Cherleria 
from Arenaria, by its short densely tufted stems, the excessively 
reduced petals, and more developed glands of the disk ; and the 
same arguments which have induced many botanists to reduce 
Cherleria to Arenaria (or Alsine) would equally apply to the re- 
union of Adenonema with Stellaria, especially as the passage from 
the one to the other is gradual. 
6. Schizotechium, Fenzl, although only proposed as a section of 
Stellaria, might have perhaps rather more claims than any of the 
preceding to be adopted as a genus. It consists of two Hima- 
layan species with a scandent habit and diffuse panicles, almost as 
in Brachystemma, and only 3 ovules, of which but one ripens. 
The ovary might thus be supposed to be reduced to uniovulate 
earpels, and to be brought technically nearer to that of Phytolac- 
eaces ; but there is no central axis, and a slight comparison of 
actual specimens wilt at once give the idea that it is an exceptional 
and irregular reduction in the ovules of a closely compound ovary, 
and not a normal conformity of the ovules with as many distinct 
or well-marked carpels. The foliage, inflorescence, and flowers 
are in all other respects those of Stellaria, in which genus we 
continue to retain Schizotechium as a section. 
Brachystemma, Don, to which we have just alluded as resem- 
bling Schizotechium in habit, is a single Himalayan species with 
the entire petals of Arenaria. The stamens, of which 5 only bear 
anthers, the 2 styles, 4 ovules, and usually one-seeded capsule, 
may also be found occasionally in that genus; but all these fea- 
tures being united and accompanied by a different habit, a large 
scarious calyx with minute petals may warrant us in retaining it 
as a distinct genus. 
We now come to the great genus Arenaria, whose limita are 
