214 



THE GENIIAN FAMILY. 



one line. Ovary single, one or partially two-celled. Fruit capsular, 

 opening in two valves, and many-seeded. The limb of the corolla is 

 in several cases furnished with a delicate but conspicuous fringe or 

 hairy tuft, and the stems are often remarkably erect. 



The Gentianacea; are diffused almost all over the world, ascending 

 to the regions of perpetual snow upon the summits of the mountains of 

 Europe, and tenanting the hottest sands of India and South America. 



Fig. 137. 

 Chlora. 



Fig. 136. 

 Field Gentian. 



They arc equally remarkable for the diversity and vivid beauty of 

 their colours, and for the uniformity of their properties. Pure and 

 intense bitterness in every part — root, leaves, and flowers — is their 

 eminent characteristic, rendering them highly valuable in medicine. 



Sixteen species grow wild in England, six of them occurring near 

 Manchester. 



