

MONOECIA DIANDRIA, 



517 



In this plant, I have not been able to distinguish the anther, nor any spi- 

 ral striae around the fruit. 



Dr. Schweinitz sent nie from Salem, North-Carolina, under the name of 

 Chara Nidifica a plant closely allied to this. It appears to be more lucid 

 and to bear leaves more numerous and more slender. Its habit is similar, 

 and if not a variety of the present plant may form another species in a dis- 

 tinct genus. 



The structure of this genus is obscure, and its real affinity still doubtfuL 

 Wallroth, who has examined it with great care, considers its fructifications 

 as of two kindsj Nucules spirally striated, sessile, surrounded by a diapha- 

 nous covering, one-celledj many seeded, indehiscent; globules of a reddish 

 colour accompanying the nucules, opening with three to four valves and 

 containing a mass of minute spiral filaments; that it belongs to die crypto- 

 gamic plants,'where it will constitute the basis of an order, (CbaracJ?ae.) next 

 to the Confervae. Leman, on the other hand, considers it as a dicotyledo- 

 nous plant allied to the Onagrarise and Salicariae, forming with a few other 

 genera a new family under the name of Eleodese* Hooker's Flora Scotica, 

 Part 2. p. 108. 



Grows in ditches — common in tlie rice fields on the Oeeechee river. 



I 



Flowers April — May. 



MONOECIA DIANDRIA. 



I 



PODOSTEMUM. Michaux. 



Ca 



Masculi — Calyx 0. I Male Florets 

 Corolla 0. Stamina \ lyx 0. Corolla 0. 



Stamens 2, fixed on a 



% pedicello affixa. 



Foeminei — CalyxO, I pedicel. 



Corolla 0. 



ovatum. 



Germen 



Stigmata % 



Fetnale 



Calyx 



0. 



Corolla 0. Germ o- 

 sessilia. Capsula 2- j vate. Stigmas 2, ses 

 locularis, 2-valvis, po- 

 lysperma. 



I 

 t 



sile. Capsule 2-celI- 



ed, two-valved, many 

 seeded. 



1. "Ceratophyllum. 



