ANGIOSPERM^, DICOTYLEDONES. 



749^ 



The Centrospermae are extremely rich in inorganic salts, and in the case of many 

 of the species soda is extracted from the ash obtained by burning the plants. The 

 Piperaceffi contain aromatic and pungent substances; the Urticacese secrete enzymes 

 in their stinging-hairs (see vol. i. p. 441). The leaves are lobed in Urticaceee and 

 Chenopodiaceae, in the rest they 

 are undivided and have entire 

 margins. In several Cheno- 

 podiacejB the cauline leaves are 

 squamiform, and assimilation is 

 then effected by the green cortex 

 of the branches, which are trans- 

 formed into phylloclades. The 

 Piperaceee are distinguished by 

 a peculiar distribution of the 

 bundles in the foliage-leaves. 

 The lateral strands do not branch 

 off from the midrib in the usual 

 way, but are appressed to it and 

 can be traced to the base of the 

 lamina. The Urticaceae also, 

 particularly the genus Parie- 

 taria, exhibit a peculiar disposi- 

 tion of the bundles (see vol. i. 

 p. 629). The Chenopodiacese 

 are destitute of stipules, the 

 Paronychiacege have large mem- 

 branous stipules which protect 

 the foliage -leaves, the Poly- 

 gonaceas are distinguished by 

 curious sheathing stipules. In 

 the Caryophyllacese and some 

 Paronj^chiacese the floral enve- 

 lopes are differentiated into 

 calyx and corolla; in Nyctagin- 

 acese, Amaranthaceee, and most 

 Polygonacese there is a petaloid 

 perianth, whilst in Chenopodi- 

 acese and Urticaceaj there is a sepaloid perianth. The perianth in Nyctaginacea3 

 resembles a corolla most strongly when the bracts are connate and form a 

 sepaloid envelope or involucre, as is the case, for instance, in the Marvel of 

 Peru {MiraUlis Jalapa, see fig. 425). The lowest portion of the perianth in 

 Nyctaginacege continues to grow after the flower has faded and forms a leathery 

 or woody investment to the fruit (see fig. 425 2). In several Chenopodiacea; and 



Fig. 425. — Nyctaginace», Mirabilis Jalapa. 

 1 Flowering branch. 2 Fruit inclosed in tlie persistent base of the peri- 

 anth. 3 Longitudinal section through the same; the true fruit is seen 

 within. (After Baillon.) 



