514 DICOTYLEDONES. 



Order 3. Plumbaginaceae. This order lias a position of the 

 stamens similar to that in Primulaceae (S5, P5, AO + 5, G5), but it 

 differs from these in the flower, which has generally a membranous, 

 dry, thin, coloured, folded, almost entire calyx and an almost 

 entirely polypetalous corolla, which, as a rule, has twisted aestivation 

 and is only united with the stamens at its base ; but more especially 

 it differs in the cvary, which bears 5 free or almost free siyles and 

 only 1 basal ovule with a long, twisted funicle (the placenta of the 

 Prirnulacefe is here so much reduced that it bears only 1 ovule). 

 The fruit is a nut or capsule. The radicle is turned outwards. 

 Endosperm mealy. To this order belong herbs or under-shrubs, 

 which are especially natives of the sea-coast and of salt-steppes ; 

 they also resemble the Primulaceas in the scattered, undivided, 

 entire leaves (without stipules), often in rosettes, and the inflor- 

 escence borne on a long stalk. In opposition to the Primnlaceae, 

 the bracteoles are typically present, and hence the branching is gene- 

 rally cymose (scorpioid). 



Armeria (Thrift) has a round capitulnm, composed of closely- 

 packed dichasia, surrounded at its base by an involucre with 

 peculiar prolongations, directed downwards, and united into a 

 sheath protecting the intercalary zone of growth. The pericarp 

 is finally ruptured at the base, and drops off like a hood. In 

 Statics (Sea-lavender), the unipared scorpioid cymes are pro- 

 longed and collected into panicle-like inflorescences. Plumbago in 

 the genus which approaches nearest to the Priinulacese, and differs most 

 from the characters given ahove. It has capitate or spike-like inflorescences, a 

 salver-shaped corolla, and the stamens are not attached to the corolla. The 

 style is only divided at the extremity; the calyx is not membranous, but is 

 covered with sticky, glandular hairs. 



250 species ; chiefly in the Mediterranean and about the Caspian Sea, on salt- 

 steppes and beaches. Some are Tropical ; a few are ornamental plants. 



B. Tetracyclicse. 



a. Tetracyclicae with hypogynous flowers. 

 Family 29. Tubiflorae. 



The flower is regular, $ , and hypogynous. The gamopetalous 

 type is present in this family with great uniformity, without sup- 

 pression or splitting; S5, P5, A5, G2 (3-5). The stamens are all 

 fertile, alternating with the lobes of the corolla. Gynceceum with 2, 

 more seldom 3-5 s rncarpous carpels. Style nearly always simple ; 

 2 dorsal stigmas. In each carpel 2-oc ovules. At the base of the 



