THE PINK FAMILY, loi 



• 



pointed instrument, that the stamens spring np against 

 the upper petals. A similar spring-like action occurs 

 in some members of the pea family {Leguminoscv), as 

 in the much-cultivated lucerne. The spoon -like ex- 

 tremity of the style of Vohjijala is reduced to a point 

 in Mural' tin. The anthers all cluster round the stigma, 

 and are one- celled in consequence of a fusion of the 

 original two. Like Mund'tia, this is probably self- 

 fertilizing. 



General Description of the Mihivort Family. 



Herhs or shriths. 



Floivers — Irregular ; sepals, 5 unequal, 2 lateral, 

 petaloid ; ^ petals, 5, adherent to the filaments, the lower 

 (keel) enclosing the stamens and pistil; stamens, 8, 

 filaments, monadelphous,^ anthers, with pores. 



Fruit — Capsule or drupe {i.e. with a stone). 



Caryophyllese. 



The Pink Family. 



This order contains 1200 species of 35 genera in 3 

 tribes. It consists entirely of herbs, many being little 

 weeds. They all have opposite leaves arising from 

 somewhat enlarged nodes, or the joints of the stem. It 



1 I.e. '♦ like petals." 



2 I.e. *' one brotherhood," the filaments being coherent. 



