GLUMACE^. 



697 



pendulous, albuminous, hairy or winged; embryo lenticular, 

 terminal. 



Distribution, cf-c. — Mostly natives of tropical America, and the 

 north of Australia. One species is found in Britain — Eriocaulon 

 septangularc. There are about 200 species. Their properties 

 are unimportant. 



Natural Order 283. Destauxiace^. — The Bristlewort Order. 

 — Character. — Small sedge-like herbs, with setaceous sheath- 

 ing leaves. Floicers glumaceous, enclosed in a spathe. Glumes 

 1 or 2. PalecB none, or 1 or 2 scales parallel with the glumes. 

 Stamens 1, or very rarely 2; anthers 1-eelled. Carpels 1 — 18, 

 distinct or more or less united, with 1 stigma and 1 pendulous 

 ovule to each. Fruit composed of as many utricles as there are 

 carpels. Seeds albuminous ; embryo lenticular, terminal. 



Distribution, ^-c. — Natives of Australia and the South Sea 

 Islands. Examples of the Genera : — Desvauxia, Aphelia. There 

 are about 15 species. Their properties and uses are unknown. 



Sub- class III. Glumacea or Glumiferce. 



Natural Order 284. Cyperace2e. — The Sedge Order {figs. 

 107O-1080). — Character.— Grass-like or rush-like herbs {'fig. 



Fig. 1075. 



Fig. 1076. 



Fig. 1077. 



Fig. 10T5. A portion of tlie angular stem of a species of Carex, with an 



entire sheath. J *</. 1076. Staminate flower of a species of Carex. st. 



Stamens, with long "filaments and pendulous innate anthers, g. Scale 

 or glume. Fig. 1077. Pistillate fiower of a species of Carex, con- 

 sisting of a glume at the base, and a pistil surrounded by an urn- 

 shaped lube (jpeiigynium), u. st. Style, terminated by three stigmas. 



