74 MR. BENTHAM ON CARYOPHYLLEA, 
the two ovules with the funicles united in a central columella, show 
more affinity with Caryophyllex. 
II. PognTULACEX. 
This Order, once more reduced by most botanists to its above- 
mentioned original and natural limits, consists at present of about 
125 species distributed into the following 14 genera :—1. Portu- 
laca, Linn. ; 2. Portulacaria, Jacq. ; 3. Grahamia, Gill. ; 4. Tali- 
nopsis, A. Gray; 5. Anacampseros, Linn., 6. Talinum, Adans.; 
7. Calandrinia, H.B. et K.; 8. Claytonia, Linn.; 9. Spraguea, 
Torr.; 10. Monocosmia, Fenzl; 11. Montia, Linn.; 12. Silvea, 
Philippi; 13. Calyptridiwn, Nutt.; and 14. Lewisia, Pursh. 
Of the above genera, Portulaca, comprising a considerable num- 
ber of species, and Portulacaria and Lewisia, each of a single 
species, are too well marked by the exceptional characters already 
alluded to (p. 58) to admit of any doubt. Grahamia from Chili 
and Talinopsis from New Mexico, both monotypic, and Anacampse- 
ros from South Africa, consisting of about eight species, are closely 
connected by their nearly straight or slightly curved (not annular) 
embryo with very little albumen, and by some general resem- 
blances in their flowers; yet, as slight differences in the calyx 
and bracts accompany considerable diversity in habit and a wide 
geographieal separation, they may be maintained as distinct 
genera, unless the discovery of intermediate species should here- 
after connect them more closely. 
Talinum, Calandrinia, and Claytonia are also very closely allied 
to each other, being only separated by the sepals, deciduous in 
Talinum, persistent in the two others, or by the stamens, con- 
stantly 5 (one opposite each petal) in Claytonia, anisomerous with 
the petals and usually more numerous in Talinum and Calandri- 
nia. These characters are moreover not quite constant; yet, as 
each group comprises a considerable number of species bearing 
other general resemblances to each other, we feel that it would 
not be safe to recommend their union into one genus without a 
more detailed examination of every species than can be undertaken 
on the present occasion. 
Spraguea, a single Californian species, is nearly allied to Clayto- 
nia; but the remarkable calyx gives it so peculiar an aspect, that 
we do not venture to reduce it. 
Montia, also monotypic, is, however, very distinctly characterized 
by its stamens (usually 3) inserted in the tube of a gamopetalous 
corolla. 
