59S 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



cell containing a spiral fibre; these fibres in CoUomia expand 

 in coils when the seeds are moistened. (See p. 337.) 



Natural Order 154. Solanace^. — The Solanum or Potato 

 Order (Jigs. 974 — 976). — This order is defined according to the 



Fig. 975. 



Fig. 976. 



Fig. 974. Diagram of the flower of the Potato (Solanvm tuberosum).. 

 975. Vertical section of the flower, c. Calyx, p, p. Corolla, o. Ovary, e. 



Stamens, s. Style and stigma Fig. 976. Vertical section of the seed of 



Solanum Dulcamara, te. Testa, ch. Chalaza. alb. Albumen. 



views of Miers, as follows : — Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, 

 often geminate. Inflorescence axillary, or more frequently extra- 

 axillary {fig. 331). Flowers isomerous {fig. 974). Ca/y.r {fig. 

 974) Avith 5, or rarely 4 divisions. Corolla {fig. 974) regular, or 

 nearly so, 5, or rarely 4-partite; o'silvation valvate or induplicate- 

 valvate. Stamens equal in number to the lobes of the corolla 

 with which they are alternate {fig. 974), the fifth stamen very 

 rarely sterile; anthers introrse, with longitudinal or porous de- 

 hiscence {fig. 527). Ovanj {figs. 974 and 975) usually a-celled, 

 rarely 3 to 5-cellcd; style {fig. 975) simple; stigma clavate or 

 2-lobed. Fruit capsular or baccate, 2 or more celled. Sveds 

 numerous, albuminous, Avith the embryo straight, or curved in 

 a more or less annular or spiral form {fiu. 976). 



Division of the Order, §'c. — The order may be divided as 

 follows : — 



Sub-order 1. Tiectcmbrj/efP. — Embryo short and straight. Ex' 



uwples : — ]\Iettoniicliia, Ci'strum, Fabiana. 

 Sub-order 2. Cnrvembrycce. — Embryo slender, terete, and curved 



in a more or less annular or s])iral form. Examples: — 



Phyealis, Ca^jsicum, Solanum, Lycopcrsicon. 



Distribution, Sfc — They arc scattered over various parts of 

 the globe except the polar circles, but arc most abundant in 



