59 



Essential Character Calyx superior or inferior, 5-parted, persistent, spread- 

 ing in {estivation. Petals 5 or 10, aiising from within the recesses of the calyx, cucullate, 

 •with an inflexed valvate a;stivation ; the interior often, when present, much smaller than 

 the outer, and truncate at the apex. Stamens indefinite, in several rows, arising from 

 within the petals, either distinct or adhering in bundles before each petal, within the 

 cavity of which they lie in a?stivation ; filaments subulate, unequal, the outer ones fre- 

 quently destitute of anthers. Ovarium inferior, or nearly superior, 1-celled, with several 

 ])arietal placentse, or with I free central lobed one ; style single ; stigma I, or several. Fruit 

 capsular or succulent, inferior or superior, l-celled, with parietal placentae originating at 

 the sutures. Seeds numerous, without arillus ; embryo lying in the axis of fleshy albumen, 



with the radicle pointing to the hilum, and flat small cotyledons Herbaceous plants, 



hispid, with pungent hairs secreting an acrid juice. Leaves opposite or alternate, without 

 stipulae, usually more or less divided. Peduncles axillary, 1 -flowered. 



Affinities. Distinguished from Onagrariae by their unilocular ovaria 

 and indefinite stamens, part of which are sterile ; and perhaps by the latter 

 character, and the additional 5 petals, connected with Passifloreaj, with 

 which they also sometimes accord in habit. Their rigid stinging hairs, 

 climbing habit, and lobed leaves, resemble those of some Urticese, with 

 which, however, they have nothing more of importance in common. On 

 the same account they may be compared with Cucurbitacese, with which 

 they further agree in their inferior unilocular fruit, with parietal placentae, 

 and in the very generally yellow colour of their flowers. This, indeed, is 

 the order with which, upon the whole, Loasese must be considered to have 

 the closest affinity. Eschscholtzia, referred here by Decandolle, belongs to 

 Papaveracese. 



Geography. All American, and chiefly from the more temperate re- 

 gions, or the tropics, of either hemisphere. 



Properties. Except the stinging property which resides in the hairs 

 of some species, nothing is known of the qualities of these plants. 



Examples. Loasa, Mentzelia. 



Lir. SALICARI^. The Loosestrife Tribe. 



Salicari^, Juss. Gen. 330. (1789); Lindl. Synops. 71- (1829). — CalycanthemjS:, 



Vent. Tabl. 3. 298. (1799). — Salicarin^, Link Enum. 1. 142. (1821) 



Lythrari^, Juss. Diet. Sc. Nat. 27. 453. (1823) ; Dec. Prodr. 3. 75. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with perigynous stamens, con- 

 crete carpella, a superior ovarium with several cells, and a tubular short- 

 toothed calyx, which covers the capsule. 



Anomalies. Occasionally apetalous. 



Essential Character. — Calyx monosepalous, the lobes with a valvate or separate 

 ajstivation, their sinuses sometimes lengthened into other lobes. Petals inserted between 

 the lobes of the calyx, very deciduous, sometimes wanting. Stamens inserted into the tube 

 of the calyx below the petals, to which they are sometimes equal in number ; sometimes 

 they are twice, or even thrice, and four times as numerous ; they are seldom four ; anthers 

 adnate, 2-celled, opening longitudinally. Ovarium superior, 2- or 4-celled ; style filifoiTn ; 

 stigma usually capitate. Capsule membranous, covered by the calyx, usually 1-celled, 

 dehiscing either longitudinall)'' or in an irregular manner. Seeds numerous, small, with- 

 out albumen, adhering to a central placenta ; embryo straight ; radicle turned towards the 



hilum ; cotyledons flat and leafy Herbs., rarely shrubs. Branches frequently 4-cornered. 



Leaves opposite, seldom alternate, entire, without either stipulaa or glands. Flowers 

 axillary, or in terminal spikes or racemes, in consequence of the depauperation of the upper 

 leaves. 



Affinities. Very near Onagrariae, from which their superior ovarium 

 and many-ribbed calyx distinguish them ; also Melastomaceae, from which 

 their superior ovarium, the veining of their leaves, and the aestivation of the 



