or more or less branched, with the longer branches spreading 
and tiexuose. Leaves sessile, rarely exceeding an inch long, 
glabrous, multifid, divided to the base into five or more segments, 
which are very narrow, between filiform and subulate, acute^ 
simple or again divided, more or less spreading. Peduncles very 
short, solitary from the axil of the leaves, single-flowered, with 
one or two minute leaves near the middle. Calyx of five segments 
or sepals, two shorter than the rest; all of them ovato-mucronate, 
from their middle to the base muricated with small sharp tuber¬ 
cles. Corolla rather small, but of a dehcate full lilac hue, inclining 
to rose: the tube gradually enlarging upwards: the limb strongly 
plaited, patent. Stamens five, included, three short and two 
long: filaments subulate, slightly glandular. Anthers oblong. 
Ovary on a fleshy disc. Style filiform. Stigma capitate, two- 
lobed, granulated. Fruit a globose capsule, about the size of a 
pea, crowned with the persistent style, and surrounded at the 
base with the persistent calyx, pendent, or hanging dow'^nwards 
in consequence of the curvature of the fructiferous peduncle. 
the style and stigma. 2. Ovary and fleshy 
disc:— magnified. 3. Capsule :—natural dze. ^ ^ 
