COEOLLIFLOB^. 



597 



of North and South America. They are far less abundant in 

 Europe and Asia, and altogether imknown in tropical countries. 

 Examples of the Genera : — Phlox, Collomia, Polemonium, Cobsea. 

 There are above 100 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of no importance except for the pret- 

 tiness of their flowers. The seeds of Collomia and some other 

 plants of this order have their testa covered with hair-like cells 

 containing spiral fibres ; these fibres in Collomia expand in 

 coils when the seeds are moistened. (See p. 328.) 



Natural Order 154. Solaxaceis:. — The Solanum or Potato 

 Order (fgs. 976-978). — Character. — This order is defined, 

 according to the views of Miers, as follows : — Herbs or shrubs. 

 Leaves alternate, often geminate. Inflorescence axillary, or more 

 frequently extra-axillary (Jiff. 328). Flowers isomerous (Jiff. 

 976). Calffx (Jiff. 976) with 5, or rarely 4 divisions. Corolla 

 (Jiff. 976) regular, or nearly so, 5, or rarely 4-partite ; (Estivation 



Fiff. 976. 



Fiff. 977. 



Fiff. 978. 



Fig. 976. Diaarram of the flower of the Potato {Solanum tuberosnm) Fig. 



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



e. Stamens, s. Style and atigma. Fig. 978. Vertical section of the 



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



valvate or induplicate-valvate. Stamens equal in number to the 

 lobes of the corolla, with which they are alternate (Jiff. 976), the 

 fifth stamen very rarely sterile ; anthers introrse, with longitu- 

 dinal or porous dehiscence (Jiff. 525). Ovary (Jigs. 976 and 977) 

 usually 2-celled, rarely 3 to 5-celled ; style (Jig. 977) simple ; 

 stigma clavate or 2-lobed. Fruit capsular or baccate, 2 or more 

 celled. Seeds numerous, albuminous, with the embrj'o straight, 

 or curved in a more or less annular or spiral form (jig. 978). 



Division of the Order, and Examples of the Genera. — The order 

 may be divided as follows : — 



Sub-order 1. Eectembryea. — Embryo short and straight. Ex- 

 amples : — Cestrum, Fabiana. 



