CHAP. I.] OXALIDE^. 339 



Balsamina in having five anthers, has only three 

 of them with two cells, the others having one 

 cell each. The stigmas also are joined toge- 

 ther at the base, and the capsule bursts at the 

 slightest touch, the valves coiling up spirally 

 from the base to the apex, and detaching them- 

 selves from the plant at the same time that they 

 expel the seeds. The peduncles grow from 

 the axils of the leaves, and they are branched 

 and many-flowered. A separate order, called 

 Hydrocerese, has been made of one of the species 

 of Impatiens (/. natans). It is an aquatic plant, 

 a native of the East Indies. 



ORDER LIII.— OXALIDE^.— THE WOOD-SORREL 

 TRIBE. 



The flowers of all the species of Oxalis, the 

 Wood- sorrel, are very pretty. The flowers 

 Jiave five regular petals, each furnished with a 

 claw ; and the petals are spirally twisted in the 

 bud. There are ten stamens, and five styles. 

 The capsule is five-celled, and five or ten valved, 

 the valves opening lengthways. Most of the 

 species are natives of South America, and 

 greenhouse plants in England. 



z2 



