% 



LOASE.E. 49 



with whorled pinnate leaves, and the terminal spike leafy ; flowers 

 in July. The flowers are sometimes perfect. 



» 



M. ambiguum. Nutt. Floating Millfoil. Stem 2-4 feet 

 high, erect, floating in large collections, dichotomous ; immersed 

 leaves capillary, emerged leaves pectinate ; flowers axillary, soli- 

 tary, sessile ; blossoms in July ; found near New Bedford. 



Proserpinaca. L. 3. 3. Mermaid Weed. 



Two species, P. palustris, L., and P. pectinata^ Lam., grow 

 in wet grounds, and round marshy places ; the former has lanceolate- 

 linear leaves, and the latter pectinate leaves ; flower in July and 

 August. 



Another genus, Hippuris, closely related to Myrioj^hyllum, and 

 found in the State of New York, is probably yet to be detected 

 in our ponds. It is called Mare's Tail, from its peculiar form. 



ORDER 49. CIRCiEACE^. 



Calyx tubular, with a 2-parted limb, deciduous ; petals 2, and 

 stamens 2 on the calyx ; ovary inferior and 2-celled ; leaves 

 opposite and toothed ; flowers in racemes. No valuable proper- 

 ties. Only one genus. 



CiRCEA. L. 2. 1. Enchanter's Night Shade. 



Two species, Alpina, L., and Lutetiana, L., are common in 

 moist places along hedges, in rather cold soil, and loving shaded 

 places. They have received an English name, as if they had 

 some importance ; common to Europe and America. 



Named after Circe, the famous enchantress of old. 



ORDER 51. LOASE^. 



A 5-parted calyx, with 5 or 10 petals ; stamens indefinite ; 



style 1 ; ovary superior or inferior ; herbaceous, hispid, with 



pungent hairs, secreting an acrid juice ; peduncles axillary, 



1-flowered. No known properties, and nothing remarkable, ex- 



7 



