255 



Properties. Nothing known, unless that the fruit of Enhalus is 

 eatable, and its fibres capable of being woven, according to Agardh (Aph. 

 128). The Janji of Hindostan, called Vallisneria aiternifolia by Roxburgh, 

 Hydrilla by Dr. Hamilton, is one of the plants used in India for supplying 

 water mechanically to sugar in the process of refining it. Brewster, 1. 34. 



Examples. Hydrocharis, Hydrilla, Blyxa, Liranobium, Boottia, Stra- 

 tiotes. 



CCXXXII, COMMELINE^. The Spider-wort Tribe. 



Epiiemere^e, Batsch. Tab. Affin. 125. (1802) in part Commeline^, R. Brown 



Frodr. 268. (1810); Richard in Humb. Bonpl. N. Gen. 1. 258. (1815); Agardh 

 Aph. 168. (1823.) 



Diagnosis. Tripetaloideous monocotyledons, with a superior 3-locular 

 capsule. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character Sepals 3, distinct from the petals, herbaceous. Petals 



coloured, sometimes cohering at the base. Stamens 6, or a smaller number, hypogynous, 

 some of them either deformed or abortive. Ovarium 3-celled, with few-seeded cells ; style 1 ; 

 stigma 1. Capsule 2- or 3-celled, 2- or 3-valved, the valves bearing the dissepiments in 

 the middle. Seeds often twin, inserted by their whole side on the inner angle of the cell, 

 whence the hilum is linear ; embryo pulley-shaped, antitropous, lying in a cavity of the 

 albumen remote from the hilum; albumen densely fleshy. — Herbaceous plants. Leaves 

 usually sheathing at the base. 



Affinities. Mr. Brown remarks upon this order (JProdr. 269.), that " it 

 is very difi^erent from Juncese both in habit and structure ; it agrees better 

 with Restiacese in the situation of the embryo and the sheathing leaves, 

 although otherwise quite distinct; it has scarcely any affinity with Palms, 

 except in its trochlear embryo, remote from the hilum, and indicated in 

 both orders by an external papilla." Agardh adds, that they agree with 

 Orchidese in the structure of their seeds and stamens. I know not in what 

 respect this resemblance is shewn. Xyridese are probably the most nearly 

 allied to Commelinese of any known plants. 



Geography. Chiefly found in the East and West Indies, and Africa. 

 A few are found in North America, but none in northern Asia or Europe. 



Properties. Often mere weeds, sometimes beautifully-flowering plants ; 

 otherwise having no known properties. 



Examples. Commelina, Aneilema, Tradescantia, Cartoneraa. 



CCXXIII. XYRIDE^. 



XYHiDEiE, Kunthin Humb. N. G. et Sp. 1. 255. (1815) a sect, o/ Restiacea; ; Agardh 

 Aphorism. 158. (1823); Desvaux in Ann. des Sc. 13. 49. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Tripetaloideous monocotyledons, with superior concrete 

 carpella, a 1 -celled capsule with parietal placentse, and capitate flowers. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character — Ca/y.r glumaceous, 3-leaved. Corolla petaloid, 3-petalled. 

 Fertile stamens 3, inserted upon the claws of the petals ; anthers turned outwards ; sterile 

 stamens alternate with the petals. Ovarium single; style tridd; stigmas ohtuse, muhifid 

 or undivided. Capsule 1 -celled, 3.valved, many-seeded, with parietal placenta. Seed 



