13 



VII. HYDROPELTlDEiE. 



Cabombe.f., Rich. Anal. Fr. (1808.) — Podophylt.ace.^, § Hydropeltidcae, Dec. 

 Syst. 2. 36. (1821); Frodr. 1. 112. (1824.) 



Diagnosis, Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous stamens, 

 anthers bursting by longitudinal slits, several distinct simple carpella, ex- 

 stipulate floating leaves not sheathing at the base, solid albumen, and seeds 

 without arillus. 



Anomalies. None. 



Essential Character Sepals 3 or 4, coloured inside. Petals 3 or 4, alternate 



with the sepals. Stamens definite or indefinite, hypogynous, arising from an obscure torus ; 

 anthers linear, turned inwards, continuous with the filament. Ovaria 2 or more, termi- 

 nated by a short style. Fruit iiidehiscent, tipped by the indurated style. Seeds definite, 

 pendulous; embryo finigilliform, seated at the base of firm, somewhat fleshy albumen. — 

 Aquatic plants, with floating leaves. Flowers axillary, solitary, yellow or purple. 



Affinities. Their nearest relation is to NymphEeacese, from which 

 they are known by their definite seeds and distinct carpella. From Podo- 

 phyllese, to which they are united by Decandolle, they differ in their floating 

 habit, definite seeds, and numerous ovaries. In the affinities of both these 

 orders they otherwise partake. According to Richard, Cabomba is a mono- 

 cotyledon : Hydropeltis is clearly related closely to Caltha. 



Geography. American water-plants, found from Cayenne to New 

 Jersey. The whole order consists of but two species. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Examples. Hydropeltis, Cabomba. 



VIII. PODOPHYLLE^. 



Podophvllace^, § Podophyllea-, Dec. Syst. 2. 32. (1821) ; Prodr. I. 111. (1824) ; 

 Von Martins H. Reg. Monac. (1829) ; a sect, of Papaveracea. 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous stamens, 

 anthers bursting by longitudinal slits, a solitary simple carpellum, exstipulate 

 leaves, solid albumen, and seeds without arillus. 



Anomalies. None. 



Essential Character Sepals 3 or 4, deciduous or persistent. Petals in two or 



three rows, each of which is equal in numlier to the sepals. Stamens hypogynous, 12-18, 

 arranged in two, three, or more rows ; filaments filiform ; anthers linear or oval, terminal, 

 turned inwards, bursting by a double longitudinal line. Torus not enlarged. Ovarium 

 solitary ; stigma thick, nearly sessile, somewhat peltate. Fruit succulent or capsular, 

 1 -celled. Seeds indefinite, attached to a lateral placenta, sometimes having an arillus ; 

 embryo small, at the base of fleshy albumen — Herbaceous plants. Leaves broad, lobed. 

 Flowers radical, solitary, white. x 



Affinities. Very nearly allied to the herbaceous genera of Berberideae, 

 from which they scarcely differ, except in the dehiscence of their anthers. 

 From Papaveracese, to which they have been recently referred by Von Mar- 

 tius, they are known by their watery, not milky, juice, by their solitary 

 unilateral placentae, and by their fleshy, not oily, albumen. From Ranun- 

 culaceae they are divided, among other characters, by their anthers bursting 

 inwardly; in which, however, they agree with DecandoUe's spurious genera, 

 which that author suspects might be better even referred to Podophylleae. 

 Hydropeltideae, which are joined to them by that learned botanist, are here 

 considered a distinct order. 



