THALAAIIFLOK.i;. 461 



the calyx, -withering, imbricate. Stamens hypogynous, as many as 

 the petals, or twice as numerous, distinct or united ; anthers in- 

 tTorse. Ovary superior ; styles 3 ; ovules numerous. Fruit ' 

 1 -celled, dehiscing by 3 valves in a locuhcidal manner ; hence 

 each valve bears a placenta in its middle, or sometimes at its 

 base. Seeds numerous, comose, exalbuminous ; embryo straight ; 

 radicle next the hilum. 



Diagnosis. — Shrubs or herbs, with alternate entire scale-hke 

 leaves. Calyx 4 — 5, parted, imbricate, persistent. Petals 

 distinct, and attached to the calyx, withering, imbricate. Stamens 

 hypogynous ; anthers introrse. Ovary superior with distinct 

 styles. Fruit dehiscing by 3 valves, each of which bears a 

 placenta at its middle or base. Seeds numerous, comose, with- 

 out albumen, and having a straight embryo, with the radicle 

 towards the hilum. 



Distribution, ^c. — The plants of this order usually grow by 

 the sea-side, or sometimes on the margins of rivers or lakes. 

 They are most abundant in the basin of the Mediterranean, and 

 are altogether confined to the noi'thern hemisphere of the Old 

 World. Examples : — Tamarix, Myricaria. There are 3 genera, 

 and 43 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The bark of these plants is astringent, 

 slightly bitter, and tonic. The ashes of some species of Tamarix 

 contain much sulphate of soda. 



Tamarix mannifera produces a saccharine substance, which is known under 

 the name of Mount Sinai Manna. This is considered by Ehrenberg, as an 

 exudation produced by a species of Coccus, which inhabits'this plant. Several 

 species of Tamarix are liable to the attack of insects, which produce galls on 

 their surface. These galls are astringent, and are used in those cases where 

 astringent substances are required, in medicine, and in dyeing, ^tlyricaria 

 jiermanica, is a common ornamental shrub in our gardens; and Tamarix gal- 

 lica is also commonly seen in our gardens, and growing apparently wild on 

 the souih-west coast of this country. 



Natural Order 25. Elatinace^. — The "Water-Pepper 

 Order. — General Character. — Little annual marsh plants, 

 with hollow creeping stems. Leaves opposite, with interpetiolar 

 membranaceous stipules. Flowers minute, axillary. Sepals 

 and petals 3 — 5, imbricated, the latter hypogynous and alternate 

 with the sepals. Stamens hypogynous, generally double the 

 number, or sometimes only as numerous as the petals, distinct. 

 Oyary superior, 3 — 5-celled; styles 3 — 5; stigmas capitaxe; ovules 

 numerous, anatropal. Fruit capsular, 3 — 5-celled, 3 — 5-valved, 

 dehiscence loculicidal; placentas a^ile. A^eec^s numerous, without 

 albumen, wrinkled ; embryo straight ; radicle towards the hilum. 



Diagnosis. — Little annual plants, with hollow stems, and 

 opposite leaves with interpetiolar stipules. Flowers small and 

 axillary. Sepals and petals 3 — 5, the latter, as well as the 

 stamens, being hypogynous. Fruit capsular, 3 — 5-celled, pla- 

 centation axile. Styles 3 — 5 ; stigmas capitate. Seeds nu- 

 merous, exalbuminous ; embryo straight. 



