560 ONAGRACE. 
which they are equal in number, or twice as many, or even 
more numerous; anthers adnate, 2-celled, opening longitudinally. 
Ovary superior (fig. 960), 1- 2- or 6-celled ; ovwles numerous or 
rarely few; style 1, filiform (fig. 960); stigma capitate or rarely 
2-lobed. Fruit capsular, membranous, dehiscent, surrounded 
by the non-adherent calyx-tube. Seeds numerous, with or with- 
out wings, exalbuminous ; placentation axile (fig. 960); embryo 
straight, with flat leafy cotyledons, and the radicle towards the 
hilum. 
Diagnosis.—Herbs or shrubs, with entire exstipulate usually 
opposite leaves. Calyx tubular, ribbed, persistent, bearing the 
deciduous petals and stamens ; the latter being inserted below the 
petals. Anthers 2-celled, adnate, bursting longitudinally. Ovary 
superior, with axile placentation; style 1. Fruit membranous, 
dehiscent, surrounded by the non-adherent calyx-tube. Seeds 
numerous, exalbuminous. 
Distribution and Numbers.—The greater number are tropical 
plants, but some are also found in temperate regions, as, for 
instance, in Europe and North America. One species only, 
Lythrum Salicaria, has been hitherto found in Australia. 
Tllustrative Genera :—Lythrum, Linn. ; Lawsonia, Linn. There 
are about 250 species. 
Properties and Uses.—These plants are chiefly remarkable 
for the possession of an astringent principle, and for their value 
‘in dyeing. 
Ammannia vesicatoria.—The leaves are very acrid; they are much used 
in India by the natives as a vesicant, but their action is slow, and they 
cause great pain. : 
Grislea tomentosa.—In India the flowers are employed for dyeing, mixed 
with species of Morinda. (See Morinda.) 
Lagerstrémia Regine has narcotic seeds, and its leaves and bark are 
reputed to be purgative and hydragogue. 
Lawsonia inermis (L. alba).—The leaves and young twigs of this shrub 
form the Henna, Henné, or Alkanna of Egypt and other countries. Henna 
is used by the women in the East to dye the tips of their fingers, their 
finger- and toe-nails, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet, of a reddish- 
orange colour. The men also use it for colouring their beards. It is like- 
wise employed for dyeing skins and morocco leather reddish-yellow, and by 
the Arabs, Persians, &c., for dyeing their horses’ tails and manes. The 
leaves are also used to some extent as an astringent. 
Lythrum Salicaria, Purple Loosestrife, is a common British plant, and 
is said to be useful as an astringent in diarrhea, &c. Other species probably 
possess similar properties. 
Order 10. OnaGRrack@, the Evening Primrose Order.— 
Character. —Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate or opposite, 
simple, exstipulate, without dots. Calyx (fig. 962) superior, 
tubular, with the limb usually 4-lobed, or sometimes 2-lobed 
(fig. 787); in estivation valvate ; or rarely the limb is absent. 
Petals usually large and showy, generally regular and equal in 
number to the divisions of the calyx (jig. 787), twisted in 
