140 



single ovary, a sessile stigma, and a unilocular polyspermous capsule, opening 

 in 5 valves. M. de Jussieu describes it nearly in the same way, with the ex- 

 ception of considering the capsule as having 5 cells, and the corolla as consist- 

 ing of 4 petals, the lower of which is spurred. These erroneous characters have 

 been reproduced by most authors. Dr. Hooker alone refers the part which has 

 the spur to the calyx, which he consequently makes to consist of 3 pieces. 

 M. Achille Richard has come nearest the truth in the Dictionnaire Classique, 

 where he describes the calyx as consisting of 4 pieces, and the 4 petals united in 

 pairs. The fact is, that the structure is usually this : the centre of the flower 

 is occupied by an ovarium, surmounted by a stigma divided into 5 acute lobes. 

 Around this stand 5 hypogynous stamens, placed in a single row and at equal dis- 

 tances from each other. Hence the normal number of the parts of the flower 

 should be 5. The corolla, however, consists of 2 bifid petals placed right and 

 left, with a wider space between their upper than their lower edges. Upon 

 comparing the position of these with the stamens, it appears that each occupies 

 the place of 3 stamens, whence it is impossible to doubt that they each consist 

 of 2 soldered together. On the other hand, the space between them, which 

 answers to 2 stamens, is an equal proof of the abortion of a fifth petal. And 

 this view of the structure is confirmed by the sepals, Thus on the outside of 

 each pair of petals, at their base, is found a leaflet, the situation of which is 

 opposite a stamen ; and opposite the space left by the abortion of the fifth petal 

 is a large broad leaflet, made up by the union of 2 sepals. The position of the 

 fifth sepal, which is that which is spurred, is between 2 petals and opposite a 

 stamen. 



Geography. Natives of damp places among bushes in the East Indies ; 

 1 is found in Madagascar, 1 in Europe, 2 in North America, and 1 in Russia 

 in Asia. 



Properties. Chiefly remarkable for the elastic force with which the valves 

 of the fruit separate at maturity, expelling the seeds. For a supposed expla- 

 nation of this phenomenon, see Dutrochet Nouvelles Recherches sur FEvosmose 

 et Endosmose. According to Decandolle, they are diuretic : [also emetic. Ruf. 

 Med. Bot. 2. 231.] 



Example. Balsamina Impatiens. 



CXXVII. VOCHYACEiE. 



Vochyaceje, Mart. Nov. Gen. 1. 123. (1824).— Vochysie*, A. St. Hit. Mem. Mus. 6. 266. 

 (1820) ; Dec. Prodr. 3. 25. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite perigynous stamens 

 concrete carpella, and irregular flowers with a spurred calyx. 



Anomalies. Ovarium either superior or inferior. The leaves of Salvertia 

 have no stipuke. 



Essential Character. — Sepals 4-5, combined at the base, imbricated in aestivation, the 

 upper one calcarate. Petals 1, 2, 3, or 5, alternate with the segments of the calyx, and in- 

 serted into their base, unequal. Stamens 1-5, usually opposite the petals, rarely alternate with 

 them, arising from the bottom of the calyx, for the most part sterile, 1 of them having an ovate 

 fertile 4-celled anther. Ovarium superior, or partially inferior, 3-celled ; ovules in each cell 

 solitary or twin, attached to the base of the axis ; style (and stigma 1. Capsule 3-cornered, 

 3-celled, 3-valved, the valves bursting along their middle. Seed without albumen, erect ; em- 

 bryo straight, inverted ; cotyledons large, foliaceous, convolute, plaited ; radicle short, superior. 

 — Trees. Branches opposite, when young 4-cornered. Leaves opposite, sometimes towards 

 the extremities of the branches alternate, entire, with 2 stipulffi at the base. Floiccrs usually 

 in terminal panicles or racemes. 



