Pistilla. Germen ovai. Styles 2, awl-shaped, longer than 



the stamina, Stigmata rolled back, tapering to a point. 

 Pericardium. Capsula cylindrical, covered, of 1 cell, opening 



at the top in 4 directions. 

 Seeds many, compressed, roundish. Receptaculum '.oose , 4- 



cornered, only half as long as the seed-vessel. 



N, B. In some species the Styles are but little longer than 

 the stamina ; in others they are very long, but rolled back so as 

 to render any bending down of the flower unnecessary. Scales 

 at the base of the calyx sometimes only 2, but they vary e\en in 

 the same species. 



S1LENE. 



Calyx. Perianthium 1 leaf, bellying, with 5 teeth, permanent. 

 Corolla. Petals 5. Claws narrow, as long as the cup, bor- 

 dered ; Umh flat, blunt, frequently cloven. 



Nectary, composed of 2 little teeth, at the neck of each 



petal, and constituting a crown at the mouth of the tube. 

 Stamina. Filaments 10, awl-shaped, every other filament 



fixed to the claws of the petals, and shedding their pollen 



later. Anihera oblong. 

 Pistilla. Germen cylindrical. Styles S, simple, longer than 



the stamina. Stigmata bending to the left. 

 Pertcarpium. Capsula cylindrical, covered, with 1 or 3 cells, 



opening at the point in 5 or 6 different directions. 

 Seeds many, kidney-shaped. 



N. B. The nectariferous crown of the blossom distinguishes 

 this genus from theCucubalus. Linn. 



CERASTIUM. 

 Calyx. Perianthium 5 leaves ; lea/its egg-spear-shaped, acute, 



expanding, permanent. 

 Corolla. Petals 5, cloven, blunt, upright, but expanding, as 



long as the cup. 



