CAXTCIFLOEJE. 553 



Genera: — CEnothei-a, Epilobium, Fuchsia, Circaea. There are 

 about 460 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. Generally the plants are 

 harmless, and possess mucilaginous properties. The roots of 

 (Enothera biennis and other species are edible. The fruits of 

 many Fuchsias are somewhat acid, and good to eat. Some species 

 of Jnssi(Ba are astringent. Several species of (Enothera open 

 their yellow flowers in the evening, and hence they have been 

 called Evening Primroses. 



Natural Order 113. Halokagace.ts. — The Mare's Tail or 

 Water- Chestnut Order. — Diagnosis. — Herbs or shrubs, generally 

 aquatic. Flowers small {fig. 386), frequently incomplete and 

 unisexual. They are nearly allied to Onagrace?e, and, in fact, 

 are merely a degeneration or imperfect form of that order. They 

 are known from it by their minute calyx, the limb of which is 

 frequently obsolete ; and by having solitary penduloiis seeds, 

 which have fleshy albumen, or are exalbuminous. 



Distribution, ^-c. — They are found in all parts of the world. 

 Examples of the Genera : — Hippuris, Myriophyllum, Trapa. 

 There are about 70 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance except for their 

 edible seeds. 



Trapa.—This is a genus of floating aquatic plants, remarkable for their 

 horned fruit, and large am j'gdaloid seeds with unequal cotyledons. The seeds 

 are edible ; those of Trapa riatans are called Chataigne d'Eait by the French, 

 and Jesuit's nuts at Venice. In some parts of Southern Europe they are 

 ground, and made into a kind of bread. T. hicornis is called ling by tlie 

 Chinese, and its seeds are highly esteemed by them. T. bispinoaa is the 

 Singhara Nut ; its seeds are largely consumed in Cashmere and some other 

 parts of India. 



Natural Order 114. Combeetace2e. — The Myrobalan Order. — 

 Character.— Trees or shrubs. Leaves exstipulate, entire, with- 

 out dots. Flowers perfect or unisexual. Calyx superior, with a 

 4 — 5-lobed deciduous limb. Petals equal in number to, and 

 alternate with, the lobes of the calyx, often absent. Stamens 

 inserted with the petals on the calyx, generally twice as 

 numerous /as its lobes, or thrice as many, or equal to them 

 in number; anthers 2-celled, with longitudinal or valvular 

 dehiscence. Ovary inferior, 1-celled, with 2 — 4 pendulous ovules ; 

 style and stigma simple. Fruit indehiscent, 1-seeded. Seeds 

 exalbuminous ; cotyledons leafy, convolute or plaited. 



Distribution, ^'c. — Exclusivel}' natives of the tropical parts of 

 America, Africa, and Asia. — Exaniples of the Genera : — Termi- 

 nalia, Combretum. There are 200 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The order is chiefly remarkable for the 

 presence of an astringent principle; hence the barks of some 

 species, and the fruits and flowers of others, are employed in 

 tanning and dyeing. Some yield excellent timber. 



Combretum butyrosum, a native of South-eastern Africa, produces a kind 



