Montia.} CRASSULACEjE. 59 



tinct or combined, and as well as the stamens inserted upon 



the calyx, more or less remote from the base of the ovary. 

 Ovary free or adnate with the calyx. 



Ord. 19. PORTULACEiE. Juss. Purslane Family. 



Sepals 2, sometimes 3 — 5, cohering below. Petals variable, 

 generally 5, sometimes cohering into a short tube, or wanting. 

 Stamens inserted along with the petals into the base of the calyx, 

 variable in number, all fertile ; filaments distinct, often oppo- 

 site to, and adnate with the petals ; anthers variable, opening 

 lengthwise. Ovary 1, 1-celled: style 1, filiform: stigmas se- 

 veral, much divided. Capsule 1-celled, opening transversely, 

 or by 3 valves, occasionally 1 -seeded and indehiscent. Seeds 

 generally numerous, fixed to a central placenta. Albumen fari- 

 naceous, central. Embryo curved round the albumen : radicle 

 elongated. — Succulent herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, rarely 

 opposite, entire, without stipules, or sometimes with membranaceous 

 ones on each side. Flowers axillary or terminal, generally ex- 

 panding only in the bright sunshine. 



1. Montia. Linn. Blinks. 



Calyx of 2 sepals. Corolla of 5 irregular petals united at the 

 base into one. Capsule 3-valved, 3-seeded. — Name, in 

 honour of Joseph de Monti, a Professor of Botany and Na- 

 tural History at Bologna. Triandria. Trigynia. 

 1. M.fontana, Linn. Water Blinhs or Water- Chickweed. 



Br. Fl. \.p. 58. E. Fl. v. 1. p. 187. E. Bot. t. 1206. 



Rills, springy and wet places. Fl. June, July. © — Whole plant 

 succulent, varying considerably in 6ize. Stem prostrate, rooting. 

 Leaves small, opposite, spathulate. Peduncles nearly terminal, often 

 forked. Flowers white, at first drooping. Stamens upon the corolla, 

 short. Germen and capsule roundish. Seeds three, subreniform, 

 dotted. 



Ord. 20. CRASSULACEjE. D C. Houseleek Family. 



Sepals 3 — 20, more or less combined. Petals equal to them 

 in number, and alternate with them, and inserted into the bot- 

 tom of the calyx. Stamens inserted along with the petals, 

 either equalling them in number, and then alternate with them, 

 or twice as many, those opposite the petals the shortest ; fila- 

 ments distinct, subulate ; anthers oval, 2-celled, bursting longi- 

 tudinally. There is a nectariferous scale at the base of each 

 ovary. Ovaries as many as there are petals, and opposite to 



