422 BEGONIACEiE. [part ii. 



order Amaranthacese, but their flowers are dis- 

 posed in loose clusters without bracts, and all 

 their parts are fleshy ; while the flowers of the 

 Amaranthacese are disposed in dense spikes 

 with bracts, which, as well as the divisions of 

 the flowers, are quite hard and dry. The sta- 

 mens are five in number, and they are spread 

 out like those of the Nettle tribe ; there are 

 two styles with hairy stigmas, and the capsule 

 resembles the Echinus, or Sea Urchin. The 

 principal genera in this order are, — Spinach 

 (Spinacea), Red and White Beet (Beta vul- 

 garis)^ Mangold Wurtzel {B. altissima). Chard 

 Beet {B. cicla), the Strawberry Blite (Blitum), 

 Fat-hen or Goosefoot (Chenopodium) ; Glass- 

 wort, the ashes of which are used in making 

 glass (SaHcornia), Saltwort (Salsoh Kali, or 

 Soda), from the ashes of which soda is prepared ; 

 and the Garden Orache {Atriplex hortensis). 

 The leaves of all the species are somewhat suc- 

 culent and pulpy, and they are frequently 

 stained with brilliant colours. 



ORDER CLVI.— BEGONIACE^. 



The only genus in this tribe is Begonia, 

 the plants belonging to which have pretty 

 flowers, and strongly- veined leaves, which are 

 crimson on the lower side, with one half smaller 



