CALTCIFLOR^. 



547 



Fig. 932 



bundles contain each 2 stamens, and the other but 1 stamen (fig. 

 931 si), rarely there are but 2 or 3 stamens present ; anthers 

 2-celled, usually long and sinuous ( figs. 519 /, and 931 st\ rarely 

 straight. Fertile Flower; — Ovary inferior {^fig. 930), 1- 

 celled, or spuriously S-celled from the projection inwards of 

 the placentas ; placentas parietal {fig. 701 pi), usually 3 ; ovules 

 indefinite, or sometimes solitary ; style short ; stigmas thickened, 

 ifigs. 634 and 930 s), papillose, lobed or fringed. Fruit a pepo 

 (figs. 701 and 932), or rarely a succulent berry. Seeds more or 

 less flattened, usually with a leathery or horny testa, solitary 

 or numerous ; embryo flat, without albumen ; cotyledons leafy ; 

 radicle towards the hilum. 



This order is sometimes placed amongst the corolliflorge on 

 account of its monopetalous flowers, but its affinities are so 

 essentially with the epigynous calyciflora, that we have placed 

 it here in accordance with De Candolie's views. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs, usually of a succulent nature. Leaves 

 rough, alternate, radiate-veined. Flowers unisexual. Calyx 

 5- toothed or obsolete, superior. Co- 

 rolla monopetalous, perigynous. Sterile 

 Flower with usually 5 stamens, which are 

 distinct, or monadelphous, or triadclphous, 

 epipetalous, rarely 2 or 3 stamens ; an- 

 thers long, and usually sinuous. Fertile 

 Flower : — Ovary inferior with parietal 

 placentas ; style short ; stigmas more or 

 less dilated. Fruit succulent. Seeds flat, 

 exalbuminous ; cotyledons leafy. 



Division of the Order, 8fc. — This order 

 has been divided into three sub-orders as 

 follows : — 



Sub-order 1. Nhandirobece. — Anthers not 

 sinuous. Placentas projecting so as to 

 meet in the centre of the fruit. Seeds 

 numerous. Examples : — Telfairia, Feu- 

 illaea, Zanonia. 

 Sub-order 2. Cucurhitece. — Anthers sinu- 

 ous. Placentas projecting so as to meet 

 in the centre of the fruit. Seeds nume- 

 rous. Examples : — Bryonia, Citrullus, 

 Ecbalium, LufFa, Lagenaria, Cucumis, 

 Cucurbita, Trichosanthes. 

 Sub-order 3. Sicece. — Placentas not pro- 

 jecting. Seed solitary, pendulous. Ex- 

 amples : — Sicyos, Sechium. 

 Distribution, 8fc. — Natives principally ^jp- 932. Pepoof the wild 

 of hot ch mates in almost every part of the (L^/^m "°o#«'^^5' 

 world, but especially abundant in the East «i"charging its seeds. 



N N 2 



