CHAP. II.] CHENOPODE^. 421 



and only a very thin and dry calyx, which is 

 surrounded by hard, thin, dry bracts, of the 

 same colour, each ending in a long point. 

 There are generally five anthers, and two or 

 three styles, with pointed stigmas ; but the 

 capsule contains only one cell and one seed ; and 

 when ripe, it divides horizontally in the middle, 

 like the capsule of the Pimpernel. 



ORDER CLIV._PHYTOLACE^. 



Herbaceous plants and shrubs, with racemes 

 of red, white, or greenish flowers. Phytolacca 

 is the principal genus ; and one species, the Vir- 

 ginian Poke {Phytolacca decandrd) is remarkable 

 for being found wild in climates so different as 

 Spain and Portugal, the north of Africa, Ja- 

 maica, and North America. The flowers are 

 greenish, tinged with red, and they are fol- 

 lowed by very dark purple berries, which are 

 said to have been formerly used for colouring 

 port wine, but the juice having medicinal qua- 

 lities, their use in Portugal is now prohibited. 

 Rivina belongs to this order. 



ORDER CLV.— CHENOPODE^. 



The plants belonging to this order bear con- 

 siderable resemblance to those included in the 



