226 



Ovarium 1 -celled; style 1; stigma capitate. Capsule opening with valves ; placenta cen- 

 tral, distinct. Seeds numerous, peltate ; cmhryo included within fleshy albumen, and lying 



across the hilum; radicle with no determinate direction Herbaceous plants. Leaves 



usually opposite, either whorled or scattered. R. Br. 



Affinities. Nearly allied to all the regular monopetalous orders with 

 capsular superior fruit, especially to Solaneoe and Gentianeae, from both 

 which, and all others, they are readily known by the stamens being placed 

 opposite the segments of the corolla, and not alternate with them. In this 

 respect they agree with Myrsinesc, which differ principally in their fleshy 

 fruit and arborescent habit. Another character of Primulaceae is to have 

 the embryo lying across the hilum within the albumen, so that the radicle 

 is presented neither to the umbilicus nor to one extremity, but to one side. 

 Trientalis differs a little in its somewhat succulent fruit. Glaux, an apeta- 

 lous genus, is usually placed here; but, according to Mr. Don (Jameson's 

 Journal, Jan. 1830, p. 166.), it should be referred to Plantaginete, " where 

 it will form the connecting link between that family and Primulaceae." 



Geography. Common in the northern and colder parts of the globe, 

 growing in marshes, hedges, and groves, by fountains and rivulets, and even 

 among the snow of cloud-capped mountains. The genus Douglasia was 

 found by the traveller whose name it bears, blossoming while covered with 

 Snow, on the Rocky Mountains of America. They are uncommon within the 

 tropics, where they usually occupy either the sea shore, or the summits of 

 the most lofty hills. 



Properties. As beautiful objects of culture, these rank among the 

 most esteemed, both on account of their bright but modest-looking flowers, 

 the earliest harbingers of spring, and also for the sake of their fragrance. 

 Their sensible properties are feeble. The Cowslip is slightly narcotic, and 

 the root of Cyclamen is famous for its acridity ; yet this is the principal food 

 of the wild boars of Sicily, whence its common name of Sowbread. 



Examples. Primula, Dodecatheon, Androsace, 



CCVIII. LENTIBULARI^. 



Lentibulari^,, Richard in Flor. Paris, p. 26. (1808) Utriculin^, Hoffmannsegg 



et Link Fl. Port.{\8W>) Lenttbui.ari^E, R. lirmcn Prodr. 42!>. (1810); Lindl. 



Synops. ISe. (1829); Link Handb. 1. 511. (1829) a sect, o/ Personatfe. 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with irregular flowers, and a 

 superior 1 -celled ovarium, with a central free placenta. 

 Anomalies. Seed undivided in Utricularia. 



Essential Character — Calyx divided, persistent, inferior. Corolla monopeta- 

 lous, hypogynous, irregular, bilahiate, with a spur. Stamens 2, included within the corolla, 

 and inserted into its base; anthers simple, souietimes contracted in the middle. Ovarium 

 l-celled; style 1, very short; stigma bilabiate. Cajisule 1 -celled, many-seeded, with a large 



central placenta. Seeds minute, without albumen ; embryo sometimes undivided Jfrrba- 



ceovs plants, living in water or marshes. Leaves radical, undivided ; or compound, re- 

 sembling roots, and bearing little vesicles. Scapes either with minute stipula-like scales, 

 or naked ; sometimes with whorled vesicles ; generally undivided. Flowers single, or in 

 spikes, or in many-flowered racemes ; with a single bractea, rarely without bractea;. R. Br. 



Affinities. The central free placenta and minute exalbuminous em- 

 bryo are the principal points of distinction between these and Scrophularineae, 

 to which their habit nearly approximates them. They are known from Pri- 

 mulacese by their irregular flowers, exalbuminous embryo, and stamens. 



