ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN ROTANY., 55 
teeth as there are valves or stigmas ; placente in the axis. Seeds indefinite,albumen mealy, with 
the embryo curved round it. 
This character includes Silenaceae and Alsinaceae, but excludes Mollugo, which has a 3- 
5 celled capsule, with distinctly loculicidal dehiscence, which, for these reasons, I think more 
justly referable to Paronychiacee. 
Arrinitizs. These are very various. The curved embryo rolled round a mass of farinacious 
albumen, intimately connects them with a whole series of orders, all presenting the same pecu- 
liarities, but separated in the present artificial disposition of 
ture of the flowers, some having hypogynous, 
apetalous. 
After excluding Mollugo this may be considered a strictly 
three or four i i 
Geocrapuicat DistrisuTion. 
extra tropical order, not more than 
Properties and Uses. Generally the Caryophillaceae may be characterized as uniformly 
insipid. The petals of the clove jelly flower are employed in medicine, but more on account of 
their fragrance and the fine colour they impart to infusions, Syrups, &c. than for any valuable 
medicinal properties they possess. : 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 26. 
Ist.—1. Cerastium Indicum. Watural size. 
2. flower, sepals and petals drawn back to show 
the stamens, ovary, and styles, 
3. Stamens back and yles and 
seed. All more or less magnified. 
2¢d.—l. Silene ee tees size, 
flower opened showing the tubular calyx, and 
unguiculate lobed petals, 10 stamens, and stipitate 
3. Anther back and front views. 4. Ovary cut 
stigmas, ovary. 
tained seeds, and lobed dehiscence of the apex. 6, A vertically, 
XXII.—MALVACE. 
A large and important natural order of plants, consisting of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous 
annuals, with round, spreading branches, alternate, simple, entire, or lobed leaves; generally 
bractew, resembling an exterior calyx, and so called by Linneus. ‘he torus is dilated disk- 
like. ‘The corolla is 5-petaled, inserted into the edge of the torus, alternate with the se 
equal, unguiculate, cohering at the base among themselves and wit 
spirally twisted in cestivation. Stamens usually indefinite, inserted between 
t in ssage to the globose hispid! 
of several carpels, either definite (about 5) or indefinite, 
