Fig. 875. 



THAXAMIFLOE^. 



Fig. 876. 



453 



Fig. 875. Diagram of the flower of a species of Bianthus. Fig. 876. Ver- 

 tical section of the flower of a species of Dianthust. Fig. 877. Esseu- 



tial organs of a species of ftellaria. Fig. 878. Capsule of Dianthns, 



dehiscing In a valvular manner by four teetli at the apex. Fig. 879. 



Vertical section of the seed of Chickweed (Stellaria). 



rarely few ; embryo curved round the albumen {figs, 763 and 879), 

 which is of a mealy character. 



Diagnosis, — Herbaceous plants with stems swollen at the 

 joints, and opposite entire exstipulate leaves. Flowers usually 

 hermaphrodite. Sepals, petals, and stamens with a quaternary 

 or quinary arrangement, the petals sometimes absent. Stamens 

 hypogynous ; anthers innate. Ovary commonly 1 -celled; styles 

 2 — 5. Capsule 1-celled, or rarely 2 — o-celled ; placenta usually 

 free central, sometimes in the 2 — o-celled fruit slightly attached 

 to the dissepiments. Seeds with the embryo curved round 

 mealy albumen. 



Division of the Order, and Eccamplcs of the Genera, — The order 

 has been divided into three sub-orders as follows : — 



Sub-order 1. AlsinecB, the Chickweed Sub-order. —Sepals dis- 

 tinct, and opposite the stamens, when the latter are equal 

 to them in number. Exarnples : — Alsine, Stellaria. 



Sub-order 2. Silenecs, the Pink Sub-order. — Sepals cohering 

 into a tube, and opposite the stamens, when the latter are 

 equal to them in number. Kvami^les : — Dianthus, Lychnis. 



