THE CHIRONIA FAMILY. 185 



withered, it is said to lie marccf^rcnt. The stamens are 

 epipetaloiis, alternate with the lobes of the corolla, 

 the pistil having usually two carpels. The fruit is a 

 capsule. They are all perennial herbs or half-shrubs, 

 forming profusely flowering tufts with rose-red, hand- 

 some blossoms. 



One tribe contains aquatic plants of two genera, 

 with alternate leaves, viz. Villar'sia and Limnan'- 

 thcmvm. The first has ovate leaves on long petioles, 

 and bears groups of yellow flowers. The only species 

 is V. ova'ta, common throughout the Colony. Limnan'- 

 tlicmum has two species ; they have cordate, i.e. heart- 

 shaped or else peltate, leaves, resembling a miniature 

 leaf of the water-lily. The flowers are yellow. Both 

 species are in the Eastern districts. This round form 

 of leaf occurs in some aquatic plants in both Dicotyle- 

 dons and Monocotyledons. From mathematical calcula- 

 tions, it has been found to be the best form for resisting 

 the strains caused by running water, so as not to rupture 

 the leaves. The commoner method is to subdivide the 

 blades into fine tlireads, which then can lie in the 

 direction of the running water, as described under 

 Banun'culus. 



General Description of the Chironia and Gentian 

 Family. 



Herhs — With a bitter juice. 

 Leaves — Opposite or alternate. 



