718 LILIACES. 
moncecious, placed on the margin (fig. 252) or surface of the 
frond, or in the axils of leaves. Perianth none. Male flower 
with 1 (fig. 1080) or a few stamens, which are often mona- 
delphous. Female flower consisting of a 1-celled ovary (jig. 
1085), with 1 or more erect ovules. Fruit 1- or more seeded, 
Fic. 1084. Fie. 1085. 
Fig. 1084, A monecious head of flowers of a species of Duckweed (Lemna 
minor), consisting of two male flowers, each of which is composed of a 
solitary stamen with a quadrilocular anther ; and one pistillate flower in 
the centre; the whole surrounded by a spathe.——F%g. 1085. Vertical 
section of the pistil of the same. 
membranous or baccate, indehiscent or sometimes dehiscent. 
Embryo straight, cleft, in the axis of fleshy albumen. 
Distribution, Numbers, and Properties.—They inhabit cool, 
temperate, and tropical regions. Illustrative Genera :—Lemna, 
Linn. ; Pistia, Linn. There are above 20 species. Their pro- 
perties are unimportant. 
Cohort 3. Liliales.—Flowers hermaphrodite or very rarely uni- 
sexual, in spikes, racemes, umbels, or panicles, or solitary ; or 
rarely capitate. Perianth in 6, or very rarely 4, 8, or 10 
nearly similar distinct pieces, or united and commonly 6- 
lobed, regular or rarely irregular, usually all petaloid or 
green, or sometimes coriaceous or subglumaceous. Embryo 
immersed in copious albumen (not external to or in a lateral 
cavity). Leaves usually parallel-veined, or very rarely net- 
veined. 
Order 1. Littacea, the Lily Order.—Character.—Herbs 
(fig. 242), shrubs (fig. 409), or trees (fig. 196), with bulbs 
(figs. 239-242), rhizomes (fig. 234), tubers, or fibrous roots. 
Stem simple or branched (fig. 196). Leaves with parallel or 
rarely reticulated veins, sessile or sheathing, sometimes succu- 
lent (fig. 1087, 1). Flowers regular (figs. 28, 429, and 1086), 
variously arranged or solitary. Perianth green or petaloid, in- 
ferior (figs. 28 and 1089), usually regular and 6-leaved (figs. 28 
