52 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



Root a tap-root, producing 1 or more erect slender stems 3 inclies 

 to 2 feet liig'h, with ascending- branches in the upper part in large 

 examples. Leaves short, -I to f inch long, lanceolate-linear, sca- 

 brous, with minute prickles at the margins. Heads of flowers about 

 f inch long, enclosed in about 6 pale yellowish-olive scales of the 

 consistence of parchment, which enclose from 1 to 11 flowers, each 

 flower except the central one completely rolled up in a scale* similar 

 to those just mentioned. Calyx very long and slender, membranous 

 at the top and along the line of junction of the sepals. Flowers 

 about J to f inch across, pale purplish-red, only one opening in each 

 head at a time. Capsule ovoid-fasiform, rupturing the calyx as it 

 increases in size. Seeds blackish, obovate, nearly flat above and 

 concave below, -with the edges incurved and the hilum in the centre. 

 Plant slightly glaucous, glabrous. 



Frolifcrous JPinlc, CMldiny Fiitk, Limewort. 



Fi'cnch, (Eillet Proli/erc. German, Sprosseiule Felsiielke. 



GENUS II.— S APONAKIA, linn. 



Flowers without involucral scales at the base of the calyx. 

 Calyx sub-cylindrical, 5-toothed at the apex, Avithout prominent 

 nerves to indicate the line of demarcation between the sepals, each 

 of which has from 3 to 5 nerves. Petals 5, Avith long claws (which 

 are usually furnished with raised longitudinal bands) and spreading 

 lamiufE, generally with small scales at the base forming a crown. 

 Stamens 10. Torus usually more or less elongated into a very 

 short stalk-like gynophore between the calyx and other parts of 

 the flower. Styles 2. Capsule oblong-ovoid, without partitions, 

 or sometimes with 2 rudimentary ones, opening at the apex by 

 4 teeth or short valves. Seeds reniform, tuberculated, laterally 

 compressed, having the hilum on one of the margins. Embryo 

 peripherical, forming nearly a circle. 



Annual or perennial herbs, with lilac, red, or yellowish flowers, 

 in dichotomous paniculate or fasciculate cymes. 



The name of this genus comes from sapo, soap ; so called because the bruised leaves 

 are said to produce a lather like soap when agitated in water. 



* Some authors describe the calyx as wrapped in two scales ; but in all the 

 specimens which I have had an opportunity of dissecting I have been able to iiud 

 only one. 



