MONOCHLAMYDE^. 



647 



Fig. lOU. Fig. 1015. 



exstipulate. Flowers axillary, unisexual. Calyx of 4 — 6 -per- 

 sistent imbricated hj'pogynous scales, the innermost occasionally 

 petaloid and combined. Stamens alternate with, and equal in 

 number to, the inner sepals. Ovary superior, placed on a disk, 

 2 — 9-celled; ovules solitary. Fncit fleshy, composed of from 

 2 — 5-nuts. Seed solitary in each nut, ascending ; enibryo with 

 an inferior radicle. 



Distribution, ^"c. — Mostly natives of Northern Europe and 

 North America. Examples of the Genera : — Empetrum, Corema. 

 There are 4 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The leaves and fruit are generally 

 slightly acid. The berries of Empetrum nigrum^ the Crowberry, 

 are eaten in the very cold parts of Europe, and are also employed 

 in Grreenland in the preparation of a fermented liquor. In Por- 

 tugal, the berries of Corema are also used in the preparation of 

 a beverage which is said to be useful in febrile complaints. 



Natural Order 221. Batidaceje. — The 

 Batis Order. — This supposed distinct 

 order only contains a single plant, the 

 Batis maritima, a succulent shrubby 

 species, a native of the West Indies, where 

 it is occasionally used as an ingredient 

 in pickles. Its ashes also yield barilla. 

 Some authors regard this genus as be- 

 longing to Chenopodiacese. 



Natural Order 222. Nepenthace^. — 

 The Pitcher-plant Order. — Character. 

 — Herbaceous or somewhat shrubby 

 plants. Leaves alternate, and terminated 

 by a pitcher which is provided with an 

 articulated lamina {fig. 364). Floivers 

 terminal, racemose, dioecious. Calyx infe- 

 rior, with 4-divisions. Stamens usually 1 6, 

 collected into a column ; anthers 2-celled, 

 extrorse. Ovary superior, 4-angled, 4- 

 celled. Fridt capsular, 4-celled, with 

 loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds very minute, 

 numerous, albuminous; embryo with an 



inferior radicle. ■^'S'- ioi4. Vertical section 



Ti- , -7 ,• n -v i* r of the flower of tlie coin- 



Distribution, ^'c— Natives of swampy mon Birthwort unstoio- 

 ground in China and the East Indies. 

 Nepenthes is the only genus ; it includes 

 about 14 species. Their properties are 

 unknown. 



Natural Order 223. ARiSTOLocHiACEiE. — The Birthwort Order 

 {figs. 1014-1016). — Character. — Herbs, or shrubby climbers. 

 Leaves alternate. Floiucrs axillary, perfect {fig. 1014), dull- 

 coloured. Calyx tubular, superior {fig. 1014), with a valvate 



chia Clematitis). Fig. 



1015. Tlie pistil aud andrre- 

 ciuiu of the same. Fig. 



1016. Transverse section 

 of the seed. 



