THALAMIFLOE^. 



439 



opposite the outer petals, and containing an equal number of 

 stamens {figs. 859 and 861), the middle stamen of each 

 bundle having a 2-celled anther {fig. 859), the two outer with 

 1 -celled anthers ; rarely 4 stamens, which are then distinct 



Fig. 859. 



Fig. 860. 



Fig.%^\. 



Fig. 859. Diagram of the flower of Corydalis, with two sepals, four petals, 



six stauiens in two bundles, and a one-celled ovary. F^g. 860. Vertical 



section of the flower of Hupecoum. Fig. 801. Upper or posterior 



petal of Corydalis, and a bundle of three stamens. Fig. 862. Vertical 



section of the seed of Fumaria. 



and opposite the petals. Ovary superior {fig. 860), 1-celled 

 {fig. 859) ; st^le filiform ; stigma with two or more points ; 

 ovules amphitropah Fruit indehiscent and 1 or 2-seeded ; or 

 two-valved, dehiscent, or a succulent indehiscent pod-like fruit; 

 in the two latter cases containing a number of seeds. Seeds 

 shining, crested ; evnlryo abaxial, minute {fig. 862) ; albumen 

 fleshy. 



Diagnosis. — Smooth herbs, with a watery juice, and alter- 

 nate exstipulate much-divided leaves. Flowers very irregidar 

 and mis3^mmetrical, and either purple, white, or yellow. Sepals 

 2, deciduous. Stamens hypogynous, usually 6, diadelphous, 

 or 4, distinct, always opposite to the petals. Ovary superior 

 with parietal placentas ; o^iiles horizontal, amphitropal. Embryo 

 minute, abaxial, in fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, S,x. — The plants of this order principally occur 

 in thickets and waste places in the temperate latitudes of the 

 northern hemisphere. Exani'ples of the Genera: — Dicentra, 

 Fumaria- There are 110 species. 



Properties ayid Uses. — They possess slightly bitter, acrid, 

 astringent, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, and aperient properties. 

 The tubers of Dicentra {Corydalis) formosa are used by the 

 eclectic practitioners in North America in syphilis, scrofula, &c.; 

 but the properties of this and other plants of the order appear to 

 be unimportant. Some species are cultivated in our gardens 

 and greenhouses. The most important of these is Dicentra 



