THE GOOSE FOOT FAMILY. 223 



them, probably from the order Caryopliyllccc. The 

 pistil (4) has two styles, but a single ovary-cell, in 

 which is one ovule (5) attached to the bottom by 

 a cord or funicle. The seed-vessel forms a thin 

 membranous bag, bursting irregularly when mature, 

 and contains a single black, flattish seed (6). (7) 

 shows a section of the seed with the embryo coiled 

 round the endosperm, a condition also seen in most 

 of the Caryojphyllece, as Chickweed (Fig. 37, A, p. 102), 

 but it is straight in Dianthus, this being an exception 

 (Fig. 37, 6). C. al'hum is a troublesome annual on 

 cultivated land. 



Several plants of this family have been used as 

 spinach, but the true species is Sjnna'cia olera'cca. It 

 is dioecious. The native country is unknown; as it 

 has been long cultivated, it has become different from 

 any known wild plant. 



General Descriiotion of the Goosefoot Family. 



Herhs — Many maritime. 



Leaves — Various or wanting. 



Flowers — Calyx, 5 -parted, often changing in fruit; 

 stamens, equal in number to and opposite the sepals, 

 adherent to calyx. 



Fruit — Utricle or membranous capsule, within the 

 persistent calyx. 



