EXOGENOUS OR DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 



465 



some ai'e pot-herbs, such as Spinach : a few are cuhivated for their 

 esculent roots ; as the Beet, which yields sugar. Soda is extract- 

 ed from the maritime species, especially from those of Salsola and 

 Salicornia (Samphire, Glass-wort). Chenopodium anthelminticum 

 yields the well-known Worm-seed oil. 



896. Ord. AinarantaceSB (A7naranth Family). Flowers in heads, 

 spikes, or dense clusters, imbricated with dry and scai'ious bracts 

 which are often colored. Calyx of three to five sepals, which are 

 dry and scarious like the bracts. Stamens five or fewer, hypog} - 

 nous, distinct or monadelphous : anthers frequently one-celled. Utri- 

 cle often opening as a pyxis (Fig. 575). Embryo annular, always 

 verticaL Otherwise nearly as in Chenopodiacea;. — Amarantus, 

 &c. A few Amaranths (Coxcomb, &c.) and Globe Amaranths 

 (Gomphrena) are cultivated for ornament. But most of the family 

 are coarse and homely weeds (Pigweeds, &c.). 



lUI 



1110 



1108 



1109 



897. Ord. Polygon aceSB (Buckwheat Family). Herbs with alter- 

 nate leaves ; remarkable for their stipules (ochreae. Fig. 305), which 



FIG. 1108. Polygonum Pennsylvanicum. 1109. Flower, laid open. 1110. Section of the 

 oyary, showing the erect ovule. 1111. Section of the seed, showing the embryo, at one side of 

 albumen. 



