I LASS DECANDR1A. I 09 



Herveless, oblong leaves, with a reticulately veined 

 calyx, and very evanescent white flower. But the 

 most remarkable species is the C. stellatus, deriving 

 its specific name from the peculiar character of its 

 leaves, being verticillated or stellated, and growing in 

 4's ; they are also minutely, but closely pubescent, 

 and of an oval lanceolate form, with a long acuminat- 

 ed point. The petals are white, divided almost like 

 fringe, and, like the preceding, the flowers are chiefly 

 open in tbe evening. 



In Decandria Pentagynia, still among the natu- 

 ral family of the Pinks, you will find the Cerastium, 

 or Mouse-ear Chickweed, a set of very common, small, 

 low growing, hairy leaved plants, with small white 

 flowers, like Chickweed. These will be found to con- 

 sist of a calyx of 5 leaves ; 5 bifid, cleft, or emarginate 

 petals ; and, at length, a cylindric-ovate, curved cap- 

 sule, of a thin texture, with 1 cell, containing many 

 seeds, and bursting at the summit only into a margin 

 of 10 teeth. 



In the Agrostemma, or Cockle, a common annual 

 weed amongst corn, at least, the A. githago, which is 

 a hairy, narrow-leaved plant with Pink-like conspicu- 

 ous purple flowers, there is a 1 -leaved, tubular, thick- 

 ish calyx, with 5 long clefts or segments ; 5 un^uicu- 

 late petals, with an obtuse undivided limb or border; 

 and a capsule of 1 cell, opening by 5 teeth. 



In the order Decagvnia, or 10 styles, you will find 

 the Common Poke (Phytolacca) of the natural family 

 of the Atriplices. The generic character is, a 5- 

 cleft petaloid or colored calyx ; and a superior berry 

 of 10 cells, with 10 seeds. You will readily find this 

 large herbaceous plant by way-sides, near fences, and 

 in wastes, generally where the soil is good. It con- 

 tinues flowering from June to October ; the flowers are 

 in racemes, coming out opposite the lanceolate leaves, 

 10 



