88 CHENOPODIACE^E 



London and Cambridge, and in Huntingdonshire, on heaps of refuse near 

 houses. It bears its small greenish flowers in July, but it has little claim to 

 the name of the "undying one," which was Avon for the genus by some of 

 the handsome garden species, and some of which, as Prince's Feathers, are 

 very generally cultivated. The common Amaranthas caiidafiis, the Flower 

 Gentle of the old writers, excited the greatest delight on its introduction 

 into the British garden. Gerarde, who says that it far exceeded his powers 

 of description, adds, " and I think the pensile of the most curious painter 

 will be at a stay when he shall come to set him down in his most lively 

 colours." 



Most of the species of Amaranth abound in a mild nutritious substance 

 which fits them for edible vegetables, and our wild Amaranth or Strawberry 

 Elite, as it is often called, is, in Gascony, boiled and eaten. The little red 

 fruits, something like strawberries, but of a deeper crimson, are lipened on 

 the plant by the end of August. They are very juicy, and stain the fingers 

 with their red hue. They were formerly used by cooks in colouring 

 puddings. 



The names of Blitum and Elite are derived from the Celtic bliih, insipid. 

 The French call the plant Blete ; the Germans, Beennelde ; the Italians, Blito. 



Order LXIX. CHENOPODIACEyE— GOOSEFOOT TRIBE. 



Perianth 3 to 5-lobed, not falling off; stamens 5, rarely 1 or 2, from the 

 base of the perianth and opposite its lobes ; ovary 1-celled, superior or 

 adhering to the tube of the perianth ; styles 2 or 4, rarely simple ; stigma 

 undivided ; fruit 1 -seeded, inclosed in the perianth, which often becomes 

 enlarged or fleshy. The order consists of shrubby or herbaceous, mostly 

 succulent plants, with inconspicuous flowers. Some of the species have 

 floAvers Avith pistils only, others Avith stamens only, and others bearing both 

 pistils and stamens. They are common in most climates, especially on the 

 sea-coast. They are divided into four groups : — 



I. The True Goosefoot Group {Chcnopodinr). 

 Flowers mostlij perfect ; stem withovf joints. 



1. Beet {Beta). — Perianth deeply 5-cleft; stamens 5; stigmas 2 — i ; 

 fruit 1-seeded, adhering to the tube of the fleshy perianth. Name from the 

 Celtic l)wiid, or hiadh, food or nourishment, many species being nutritious. 



2. Goosefoot (Chenopodium). — Flowex's all perfect; perianth deeply 

 3 to 5-cleft, remaining unaltered, and finally closing over the single seed ; 

 stamens 2 — 5 ; stigmas 2 — 3. Name from the Greek ehen, chenos, a goose, 

 and pons, a foot, from the form of the leaf in some species. 



11. The Orache Group {Atriplicea'). 

 FJoicers iuiperfect ; stem uithout joints. 



3. Orache [Atriplex). — Stamens and pistils mostly in separate flowers 

 sometimes united ; barren floAver, perianth deeply 3 — 5-cleft ; stamens 3 — 5 ; 

 fertile flower, perianth of 2 valves ; stigmas 2 ; fruit 1 -celled, covered by 



