163 



CXLVIII. FICOIDE^. 



FicoiDEiE, Juss. Gen. 315. (1789); Diet. Sc. Nat. 16. 528. (1820); Dec. Prodr. 3. 415. 



(1828). 



Diagnosis. Succulent polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite peri- 

 gynous stamens, concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium of several cells, and 

 indefinite seeds with the embryo lyins; on the outside of mealy albumen. 



Anomalies. Tetragonia and Miltus have no petals, and definite seeds. 

 Sesuvium-and Aizoon have no petals. 



Essential Character — Sepals definite, usually 5, but varying from 4 to 8, more 

 or less combined at the base, either cohering with the ovarium, or nearly distinct from it, 

 equal or unequal, with a quincuncial or valvate aestivation. Petals indefinite, coloured, 

 opening beneath bright sunshine, sometimes wanting, but in that case the inside of the 

 calyx is coloured. Stame7is arising from the calyx, definite or indefinite, distinct ; anthers 

 oblong, incumbent. Ovarium inferior, or nearly superior, many-celled ; stigmata nume- 

 rous, distinct. Capsule either surrounded by the fleshy calyx, or naked, many-celled, 

 often 5-celled, opening iu a stellate manner at the apex. Seeds definite, or more commonly 

 indefinite, attached to the inner angle of the cells ; embryo lying on the outside of mealy 

 albumen, curved or spiral — Shrubby or herbaceous plants. Leaves succulent, opposite, 

 simple. Flowers usually terminal. 



Affinities. The embryo curved round mealy albumen, along with the 

 superior calyx, and distinctly peri2:ynous stamens, characterises these among 

 their neighbours, independently of their succulent habit. With Crassula- 

 cese, Chenopodese, and Caryophyllese, they are more or less closely related. 

 Reaumurieae and Nitrariacese, combined with Ficoidese by Decandolle, are 

 families different in aflRnity. 



Geography. The hottest sandy plains of the Cape of Good Hope 

 nourish the largest part of this order. A few are found in the south of 

 Europe, north of Africa, Chile, China, Peru, and the South Seas. 



Properties. The succulent leaves of a few are eaten, as of Tetra- 

 gonia expansa, Mesembryanthemum edule, and Sesuvium portulacastrum ; 

 others yield an abundance of soda. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is 

 used in the manufacture of Maroquin leather. 



Examples. Mesembryanthemum, Tetragonia. 



CXLIX. NITRARIACE^. 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with perigynous stamens, con- 

 crete carpella, a superior ovarium of several cells, a deeply-divided calyx, 

 regular flowers, an indexed valvular aestivation, a terminal single style, pen- 

 dulous exalbuminous seeds, and a straight embryo. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character Calyx inferior, 5-toothed, fleshy. Corolla of 5 petals, 



which arise from the calyx, with an inflexed valvular festivation. Stamens 3 times the 

 number of the petals, perigynous; anthers innate, with 2 oblique longitudinal lines of 

 dehiscence. Ovarium superior, 3- or more celled, with a continuous fleshy style, at the 

 apex of which are as many stigmatic lines as there are cells ; ovula pendulous, by means of 

 a long funiculus. Fruit drupaceous, opening by 3 or 6 valves. Seeds solitary, with no 

 albumen, and a straight embryo, with the radicle next the hilum — Shrubs with deciduous 

 succulent alternate leaves, which are sometimes fascicled. Flowers in cymes, or solitary. 



Affinities. I take Nitraria to be the type of an order related on the 

 one hand to P'icoidese, and on the other to Rhamneae, agreeing with both in 



