FAMILIES or FLOWERING PLANTS 



153 



small aquatic or sometimes terrestrial herbs, comprised in the single 

 genus CaUitrlche, which contains about 20 widely distributed species. 

 They have slender stems, opposite leaves, and minute perfect or monoe- 

 cious axillary flowers, destitute of calyx and corolla; stamen one, ovary 

 4-celled, becoming a capsular fruit which splits into 4 little one-seeded 

 carpels. The plants are inconspicuous, and without special interest. 



Kig, 132. Allegheny ^lounlam spnrge {Pachysandra procumbens). Original. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



Or del' Sapin dales. 



This order is essentially similar to the Geraniales, although there 

 are important differences in the stnicture of the seed. The families 

 comprised in it must therefore be learned by experience. There are 

 20 of these, the most important being the Anacardiaceae, Aquifoliaceae, 

 Celastraceae, Aceraceae, Hippocastanaceae, and Sapindaceae. 



