90 3IONOGRAPH OF 



as stated, but commonly double, the outward 

 of 2 sepals, being mistaken for bracts, altho' 

 they persist in the fruit, and are quite similar to 

 the extra sepals of the Cistidian tribe to which 

 this Genus evidently belongs, notwithstanding 

 the reduced stamens and seeds. This Genus 

 is in fact so nei3r to Anthelis (Helianthemum 

 T.) that the main distinction consists only in 3 

 petals instead of 5, and it is supposed that the 

 original L. major of Lin. was also his Cistus 

 canadensis ! or a variety of it ! 



Characters of LECHE A if kept as a single 

 Genus. Calix double and persistent, external 

 bipartite seldom lacking,sepals narrower, inter- 

 nal tripartite. Petals 3 small narrow, equal 

 obtuse and fugacious. Stam 3 to 12, filiform, 

 anthers bilobe. Stigma large sessile capitate 

 trilobe floccose or plumose or papillose. Cap- 

 sule unilocular trivalve, 3 to 9 seeds inserted on 

 3 small free placentas, sometimes only one by 

 abortion. Small annuals or perennials with 

 terete stiff branching stem, leaves ternate or 

 ojJjfosite scattered simple entire and sub- 

 sessile, flowers estiral evanescent paniculate 

 or racemose, not yellow — Vulgar name Pin- 

 weed, 



1. ME?fANDRA, FI. Virg. of Gronovius. Ex- 

 ternal calix with 2 short sepals or almost lack- 

 ing. Stamens 6 to 9, seeds 1 to 3. Leaves 

 often ternate, and flowers racemose. Peren- 

 nials. 



2. Lechea, Ext. cahx equal in length to the 

 internal. Stamens 6 to 12, seeds 1 to 3. floic- 

 ers spicate panictdate, some stems sterile, 



3. ErDiEXA Raf, (well 2 external) Ext. ca- 

 lix longer than the internal. Stamens 3 to 6. 

 Seeds 3 to 9. Chiefly annuals. 



