CRASSULACEZ. XX. Diamorpna. 
tribe are anomalous in the order, in consequence of the carpels 
being united into a many-celled capsule, and dehiscing on the 
outside). D.C. prod. 3. p. 414, Carpels united at the base into 
a many-celled capsule. 
XX. DIAMO’RPHA (from d.apopgow, diamorphoo, to de- 
form ; in reference to the fruit, which is formed differently and 
contrary to the rest of the order). Nutt. gen. amer. 1. p. 293. 
D.C. prod. 3. p. 414. 
Lin. syst. Octdndria, Tetragynia. Calyx 4-lobed. Petals 4. 
Stamens 8. Carpels 4, united at the base, but diverging at the 
apex, cuspidate, opening on the outside, usually containing about 
4 seeds.—A small biennial herb, with the branches disposed in 
whorles from the base. Flowers small, white, disposed in cymes. 
Leaves alternate, nearly terete. 
1 D. pusr'tra (Nutt. lc.) g. H. F. Native of North 
Carolina, about Camden, among moss on rocks. Sédum pusil- 
lum, Michx. fl. bor. amer. 1. p. 276. Tilla‘a cymésa, Nutt. gen. 
amer. 1. p. 110. 
Small Diamorpha. PI. 1 inch. 
Cult. The seeds of this plant should be sown in a pot, filled 
with peat, and the plants need not be shifted into other pots ; but 
be preserved through the winter by a frame. 
XXI. PENTHO'RUM (from nevre, pente, five, and ópoc, 
horos, a boundary ; in reference to the 5 beaks which terminate 
the capsule). Lin. gen. no. 580. Gaertn. fruct. 1, p. 312. t. 65. 
D. C. prod. 3. p. 414. 
$ Lix. syst. Decándria, Pentagynia. Calyx 5-parted. Petals 
5. Stamens 10. Scales wanting? Carpels 5, united at the 
base, in a 5-beaked 5-celled capsule, which is pentagonal at the 
apex, and opening under the beaks. Seeds numerous, small, 
fixed on every side of the broad placenta, and probably exalbu- 
minous.—Erect perennial herbs, with scattered, membranous, 
oblong-linear, unequally serrated leaves: and unilateral cymes, 
which are turned back at the points. 
1 P. seproipes (Lin. spec. p. 620.) stem a little branched ; 
leaves lanceolate ; cymes numerous, panicled, many-flowered ; 
seeds scobiform. 2.H. Native of North America, in bogs, 
from New England to Carolina, and on La Grande Chaudiere. 
Lin. act. ups. 1744, t. 2. Lam. ill. t. 390. Flowers white or 
pale yellow. 
Stonecrop-like Penthorum. Fl. July, Aug. Clt. 1768. PEIE 
2 P. Cuer’yse (Pursh. fl. amer. sept. 1. p. 323. in obs.) 
stem simple ; leaves long, linear-lanceolate; cymes few, corym- 
bose, few-flowered; seeds ovate, horny. 2%. H. Native of 
China. D.C. mem. crass. pl. 13. Very like P. sediotdes, but 
the seeds are certainly distinct. Stems, as in it, terete at the 
base, and angular at the apex. 
China Penthorum. PI. 1 foot. : 
Cult. The species of this genus grow freely in light sandy 
soil, and are easily increased by dividing at the roots. — Cuttings 
also strike freely under a hand-glass. P. Chinénsis, if ever It 
should be introduced to the gardens, will require protection 1n 
Winter until its hardiness be ascertained. 
Orver CXIV. FICOI'DEE (plants agreeing in character 
with Mesembrydnthemum, or Fig-marygold, in particular charac- 
ters). Juss. gen. p. 315. dict. sc. nat. 16. p. 528. D. C. prod. 
3. p. 415, 
Calyx constantly of a definite number of sepals, 
varying from 4 to 8, more or less united at the base, either co- 
hering with the ovarium, or almost distinct from it, equal or un- 
equal, quincuncial or valvate in æstivation. Petals indefinite, 
coloured, narrow, a little combined at the base, sometimes want- 
+ 
usually 5, but 
XXI. PENTHORUM. 
FICOIDEÆ. I. MESEMBRYANTHEMUM. 125 
ing, but in that case the inside of the calyx is coloured. Stamens 
indefinite, arising from the calyx, distinct; anthers oblong, in- 
cumbent. Ovarium distinct, or adnate to the calyx, many- 
celled, crowned by numerous distinct stigmas. Capsule either 
girded by the fleshy calyx or naked, usually many-celled, but 
often 5-celled, opening in a stellate manner at the apex. Seeds 
attached to the inner angle of the cells, definite or indefinite. 
Embryo lying on the outside of a mealy albumen, curved.— 
Shrubby or herbaceous plants, variable in habit. Leaves fleshy, 
opposite, simple. Flowers usually terminal. 
The curved embryo and mealy albumen, along with the 
superior calyx, and distinctly perigynous stamens, characterise 
these among their neighbours, independently of their succulent 
habit. With Crassulàceæ, Chenopòdeæ, and Caryophýlleæ they 
are more or less closely related. Reaumurièæ and Nitrariacee 
are families different in affinity. The hottest sandy plains in the 
Cape of Good Hope nourish the largest part of this order. A 
few are found in the south of Europe, north of Africa, Chili, 
China, Peru, and the South Seas. The succulent leaves of a 
few of the species are eaten, as of Tetragonia expdnsa, Mesem- 
brydnthemum edile, and Sesùvium portulacdstrum ; others yield an 
abundance of soda. Mesembrydnthemum nodiflorum is used in 
the manufacture of Moroquin leather. 
Synopsis of the genera. 
1 Mesemsrya NtHEMUM. Calyx of 5, rarely of 2-8 sepals. 
Petals indefinite, linear. Stamens indefinite, inserted in the top 
of the calyx along with the petals. Capsule adnate to the calyx, 
from 4 to many-celled ; cells many-seeded. 
2 Terraconia. Calyx 4, rarely 3-cleft ; lobes coloured in- 
side. Petals wanting. Stamens variable in number. Capsule 
-8-8-celled ; cells 1-seeded. 
3 Sesuvium. Calyx 5-parted; lobes coloured inside. Petals 
wanting. Stamens 15-30, inserted in the top of the tube of the 
calyx. Capsule 3, rarely 4-5-celled ; cells many-seeded. 
4 Aizdon. Calyx 5-parted, coloured inside. Petals want- 
ing. Stamens about 20, inserted in the bottom of the calyx, 
3-5 in each fascicle. Capsule 5-celled ; cells many-seeded. 
5 Guinus. Calyx 5-parted, coloured inside, with 3 inner 
sepals and 2 outer ones. Petals 5-20, tongue-shaped, 2-4-cleft 
at the apex. Capsule covered by the calyx, 5-celled ; cells 
many-seeded. 
6 Ory'ctA. Calyx 5-parted. Petals numerous (20), lanceolate. 
Stamens indefinite. Capsule globose, 5-celled, many-seeded. 
I. MESEMBRYA’NTHEMUM (from peonpppia, mesem- 
bria, mid-day, and avSepor, anthemon, a flower). Lin. gen. 
628. Gaertn. fruct. 2. t. 126. Lam. ill. t. 438. Haw. obs. 
mes. 1. vol. 8. 1794. mise. 1803. p. 15. syn. pl. suce. 1819. p. 
202. D. C. prod. 3. p. 415.—Mesembryanthemum and Hy- 
menégyne, Haw. rev. succ. p. 74. and p. 192. 
Lin. syst. Icosdndria, Tetra-Polygynia. Calyx of 5, rarely 
of 2-8 sepals ; sepals united to themselves, and to the ovarium 
even to the middle ; lobes unequal, usually leaf-formed. Petals 
innumerable, in one, but more often in many series, united among 
themselves at the base. Stamens indefinite, disposed in many 
series, inserted with the petals at the to of the calyx. Ovarium 
adnate to the calyx, many celled inside (4-20), but usually 5- 
