416 PBNTANDRIA. 



2. Digtpiia begins with the remainder of 

 the Contorted ; then follow some incomplete 

 flowers, as Chenopodimn, t. 1033, Beta, 

 t, 285, and afterwards the fine alpine ge- 

 nus of Gentiana, t. 20, 493, 896, famous 

 for its extreme bitterness and consequent 

 stomachic virtues. 



The rest of the Order consists of the very 

 natural Umbelliferous family, characterized 

 by haAing five superior petals, and a pair 

 of naked seeds, suspended vertically when 

 ripe from the summit of a slender hair-iike 

 receptacle. Of the infiorescence of this 

 tribe, and the dilhculties attending their 

 generic distinctions, we have spoken j;. 309. 

 In En/ngiiim, f. 718 and 57, the umbel 

 is condensed into a capitidum, or conical 

 scaly head, showing an approach towards 

 the compound flowers, and accompanied, 

 as Jussieu observes, by the habit of a 

 Thistle. Lagoecia is justly referred to 

 this natural order by the same writer, 

 though it has only a solitary seed and style. 

 The UmbelUferce are mostly herbaceous; 

 the qualities of such as grov/ on dry ground 

 are aromatic, while the aquatic species are 



