t66 



CAR YOPHYLLA CE^. 



[chap. 



13. Natural Order, Caryophyllacece. — The Pink Family. 



Herbs with opposite, simple leaves. Ovary one-celled, 

 with a free central placenta. 



Type — Indian Pink {DiantJius chhieiisis). 

 A garden herb, with opposite, grass-like, glabrous leaves, 

 and terminal, solitary or fascicled red flowers blotched with 

 purple- 



Observe the central placenta, free from the walls of 

 the ovary, by the early rupture or sup- 

 pression of the dissepiments. 



Species of this Family abound in the 

 temperate zone of the northern hemi- 

 sphere, but are rare in the tropics, 

 excepting some small-flowered weed-like 

 plants and a few grown in gardens. 



The eastern species, taken as a type, 

 is commonly cultivated in Indian gardens. 



Low-tufted species of this Family grow at a great eleva- 

 tion in the Himalayas, one attaining a height of 14,000 to 

 18,000 feet. 



Fig. no. Transverse 

 !Section of ovary, 

 showing free cen- 

 tral placentation. 



