ONAGRACEjE. 136 PROSERPINACA. 



F. Magella'nica. 



Pedinidcs axillary, ] -flowered ; leaves in 3s, serrated. Native of Chili. A 

 most dL'licate and beautiful green-house shrub, 1 — (J feet high. The twigs 

 and nerves of the leaves are tinged with red. The leaves are oblong-ovate, 

 serrate, opposite or in whorls of 3. Flowers on long filiform peduncles, pendu- 

 lous. The calyx is of 4 scarlet sepals united into a long tube, broad at the 

 throat, much larger than the included, crimson or dark purple corolla. Sta- 

 mens also red or scarlet, much exserted. Berry purple. Propagated by 

 cuttings or slips, requiring careful attention. Ladies' Ear-drop. 



Tribe 2, CIRC^E.^. 

 Flower regular, its parts arranged in 2s, 



7. CIRCuEA. 



Calyx 2-sepaled, superior, deciduous; corolla 2-pefaIed, 

 obcordate; stamens 2, opposite the sepals; carpels 2, united ; 

 style 1 ; capsule 2-celled, 2-seeded. 



Name from Circe, because this plant v.'as supposed to have been used by 

 that enchantress. — Perennial herbs, with opposite leaves. Cal. adherent to 

 the sides of the ovar}' and produced bej'ond it, the superior portion ^-parted, 

 the segments oval, deflected. Pet. alternate with sep. and stum. Fil. filiform, 

 long as calyx. Capsules obovate, hairy. 



1. C. alpi'na. 



Smooth; stevi ascending, weak; leaves broad, heart-shaped, membrana- 

 ceous, dentate, as long as the petioles ; bracts setaceous. A small, delicate 

 plant, often met with in low, wet or rocky woodlands in mountainous districts. 

 Tlie stem is prostrate, decumbent at base, less than a foot high. Leaves thin, 

 shining, pale green, distinctly heart-shaped, acutely and irregularly toothed. 

 The flowers are white, sometimes rose-color, in terminal and axillary racemes, 

 appearing in July. Mpint Enchanter s Kightshade. 



2. C. Lutetia'na. 



Stcvi erect; leaves ovvde, remote]}' dentate, opaque, pubescent. A larger 

 plant than the preceding, growing in damp, shady woods and groves. Stem 

 about 2 feet high, often more, erect, jointed, branched. Leaves opposite, 

 dark green, often slightly cordate at base and acuminate at the apex. Flow- 

 ers in long, terminal and lateral racemes, which continue to rise and blossom 

 through June and July. Corolla tinged with red. Capsules inversely heart- 

 shaped, rough-haired. Enchanter s JVightskade. 



SuBOKDER II, HOLORAGEiE. 



Plants small, aquatic, often apctalous. Seeds solitary. 



8. PROSERPINA'CA. 



Calyx 3-parted, superior; corolla 0; stamens 3; fruit 3- 

 angled, 3-celled, crowned by a permanent calyx. 



Lat. Proserpina, a Roman goddess ; from some fancied resemblance ; per- 

 haps because the plant is partly concealed under the water, and partly above. 

 The seed is a bony nut, 3-sided and 3-celled. 



