1.3.3 



Essential Ch An a.ct lb. — ScpaL -3-4-5, with a, n imbricated xstivatiuii, continuous with the 

 peduncle, persistent. Petals equal in nunjber to the sepals, hypogynous, ung-uiculate, with a 

 twisted aestivation. Stamens equal in number to the petals, and alternate with them, united 

 at the base in a hypogynous ring, from which proceed little teeth opposite to the petals, and in- 

 dicating abortive stamens ; anthers ovate, innate. Ovarium with about as many cells as petals, 

 seldom fewer ; styles equal in number to the cells ; stigmas capitate. Capsules generally pointed 

 with the indurated base of the 3tyles, many-celled ; each cell partially divided in two by an 

 imperfect spurious dissepiment, and dehiscing with two valves at the apex. Seeds in each cell 

 single, compressed, inverted ; albumen usually absent ; inner lining of the fcstatumid ; embryo 

 straight, fleshy, with the radicle pointing towards the hilum ; cotyledons flat. — Herbaceous 

 plants, or s^all shrubs. Leaves entire, without stipula:, usually alternate. Petals very 

 fugitive. 



Affinities. It is remarked by Decandolle, that these are intermediate, as 

 it were, between Caryophyllese, Malvaceae, and Geraniacea?, from all which, 

 however, they are obviously distinguished. 



Geography. Europe and the north of Africa are the principal stations of 

 this order, which is, however, scattered more or less over most parts of the 

 globe. Several are natives of North and South America, 2 only are found in In- 

 dia, 1 in New Zealand, and none in New Holland; for the L. angustifolium men- 

 tioned by Decandolle as having been sent him from that country, had probably, 

 as he suggests, been introduced from Europe. It is stated by Dr. Richardson, 

 that the most northern limit of this order in North America is 54° N. Ed. P 

 J. 12. 209. 



Properties. The tenacity of their fibre, and the mucilage of their diure- 

 tic seeds, are the striking characters of Lines, which are also usually remarka- 

 ble for the beauty of their flowers. The leaves of L. catharticum are purga- 

 tive. Linum selaginoides is considered in Peru bitter and aperient. Dec. 



Examples. Linum, Radiola. 



CXL. CARYOPHYLLESE. The Chickweed Tribe. 



CahyofhyllejE, Juss. Gen. 299. (1739) ; Dec. Predr. 1. 351. (1824 ; Lindl. Synops. p. 43. 



(1329.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous stamens, 

 concrete carpella, an ovarium of 1 or several cells with placentas in the axis, 

 an imbricated calyx, symmetrical flowers, an embryo coiled round mealy albu- 

 men, and opposite entire leaves with herbaceous stems. 



Anomalies. Some are apetalous ; others are accidentally unsymmetrical 

 in their fructification. 



Essential Character.— Sepals 4-5, continuous with the peduncle ; either distinct, or cohe- 

 ring in a tube, persistent. Petals 4-5, hypogynous, unguiculate, inserted upon the pedicel of 

 the ovarium ; occasionally wanting. Sta7nens twice as many as the petals, inserted upon the 

 pedicel of the ovarium along with the petals; filaments subulate, sometimes monadelphous ; 

 anthers innate. Ovarium stipitate on the apex of a pedicel (called the gynophorus) ; Stigmata, 

 2-5, sessile, filiform, papillose on the inner surface. Capsule 2-5-valved, either 1-celled or 2-5- 

 celled, in the latter case with a loculicidal dehiscence. Placenta central, in the 1-celled cap- 

 sules distinct, in the 2-5-celled capsules adhering to the edge of the dissepiments. Seeds in- 

 definite in number, rarely definite ; albumen mealy; embryo curved round the albumen; ra- 

 dicle pointing to the hilum.— Herbaceous plants, occasionally becoming suffrutescent. . Stems 

 tumid at the articulations. Leaves always opposite and entire, often connate at the base. 



Affinities. On the one hand these plants are allied to Frankeniaceae, with 

 which they agree in their unguiculate petals, bearing processes at their orifice, and 

 in some measure in habit ; and on the other to Linear, from which they are prin- 

 cipally distinguished by their unilocular, or. if plurilocular. several-seeded cap- 



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