SCROPHULARIACEA. 633 
or whorled leaves; generally without, or very rarely with, 
stipules ; sometimes parasitical on roots. Inflorescence axillary. 
Flowers ( figs. 1020 and 1021) anisomerous, irregular. Calyx in- 
ferior, persistent (fig. 710), 4—5-partite. Corolla more (figs. 
488 and 489) or less (jigs. 492 and 493) irregular, sometimes 
gibbous (fig. 488) or spurred ( fig. 489), 4—5-partite ; estivation 
imbricate (fig. 1021). Stamens generally 4, and didynamous 
(fig. 559), or sometimes 2 (fig. 1020)) or rarely 5 or with a 
rudimentary fifth; anthers 1—2-celled. Ovary usually 2-celled 
with axile placentation (jig. 1021), its component carpels being 
placed anterior and posterior; style 1 (jigs. 626 and 1020); 
stigma undivided or 2-lobed. Fruit usually capsular, with 
variable dehiscence (fig. 710), or rarely baccate, usually 2-celled. 
Seeds generally numerous, small, albuminous; embryo straight 
Fic. 1021, 
va TH, 
Fie. 1020. 
Fig. 1020. Fiower of a species of Speedwell ( Veronica).——Fig. 1021. Dia- 
gram of the flower of the Great Snapdragon (Anti77hinum majus), with 
one bract below. 
or slightly curved. (The above definition of the Scrophulariacese 
is in accordance with the views of Miers.) 
Diagnosis.—Herbs, or rarely shrubs. Flowers irregular, 
anisomerous. Inflorescence axillary. Calyx and corolla with 
4 or 5 divisions. Corolla more or less irregular, zstivation im- 
bricate. Stamens 4 and then didynamous, or sometimes 2, or 
rarely 5, or with a rudimentary fifth or staminode ; anthers 1— 
2-celled. Ovary usually 2-celled, the cells placed anterior and 
posterior, with axile placentation; style 1. Fruit capsular, or 
rarely baccate. Seeds generally numerous, albuminous. 
Distribution and Numbers.—The plants of this order are 
found in all parts of the globe. Illustrative Genera :—Verbas- 
cum, Linn. ; Antirrhinum, Towrn. ; Scrophularia, Linn. ; Vero- 
nica, Tourn. As above defined, there are about 1,700 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order must be 
regarded with suspicion, as some are powerful poisons. Many 
