253 



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

 and its fibres capable of being woven, according to Agardh (Jlph. 128). The 

 Janji of Hindostan, called Vallisneria alternifolia 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, Limnobium, Boottia, Stratiotes. 



CCXXXIl. COMMELINE^. The Spider-wort Tribe. 



Ephemereje, Batsch: Tab. Affin. (125. 1802) in part.— Commelineje, R. Brovn Prodr. 

 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 I ; 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 (Prodr. 269.), that "it 

 is very different from Junceee 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 indicatedin both orders by an ex- 

 ternal papilla." Agardh adds, that they agree with Orchideae in the structure 

 of their seeds and stamens. I know not in what respect this resemblance is 

 shown. Xyridese are probably the most nearly allied to Commelineee 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, Cartonema. 



CCXXXIII. XYRIDESE. 



Xvrideje, Kunth in Humb. N. G.et Sp. 1.255. (1815) asect. ofRestiaceoe; Agardh. Aphorism. 

 158. (1823) ; Desvaxix in Ann. des Sc. 13. 49. 



Diagnosis. Tripetaloideous monocotyledons, with superior concrete 

 pella, a 1 -celled capsule with parietal placenta?, and capitate flowers. 



A ivrnivr a tips 



car- 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character.— Calyx glumaceous, 3-leaved. Corolla petaloid, 3-petalled. Fer- 

 tile stamens 3, inserted upon the claws of the petals; anthers turned outwards ; sterile sta- 

 mens alternate with the petals. Ovarium single ; style trifid ; stigmas obtuse, multifid or 

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



