290 MANUAL OF BOTANY 



Ovary superior, 1 -celled, with 3 distinct styles. Fruit 1 -celled, 

 with 3 parietal or basal placentas, and dehiscing loculicid- 

 ally by 3 valves. Seeds numerous, comose, without albumen, 

 and having a straight embryo, with the radicle towards the 

 liilum. 



Distribution and Numbers. — The plants of this order 

 usually grow by the seaside, or sometimes on the margins of 

 rivers or lakes. They are most abundant in the basin of the 

 Mediterranean, and are altogether confined to the northern 

 hemisphere of the Old World. Ilhisfrative Genera : — Tamarix, 

 Lifin. ; Myricaria, Desv. There are about 40 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The bark of these plants is astringent, 

 slightly bitter and tonic. The ashes of some species of Tamarix 

 contain much sulphate of soda. 



Order 73. KEAUMUEiACEiE, the Reaumuria Order. — This small 

 order was first instituted by Ehrenberg. The plants belonging 

 to it do not differ greatly from Hypericacete, except that they 

 have a pair of appendages at the base of the petals, and shaggy 

 seeds with a small quantity of mealy albumen. Bentliam and 

 HooA'er refer them to Tamaricacece. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of the coast of the 

 Mediterranean and the salt plains of Northern Asia. Illustrative 

 Genus: — Reaumuria, Hasselq. There are 4 species. 



Cohort 5. — Guttiferales. 



Order 74. Elatinace^, the Water-pepper Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Little annual marsh plants, with hollow creeping stems, 

 and opposite leaves with interpetiolar membranous stipules. 

 Floivej's small and axillary. Sepals and pteials 3 — 5, the latter, 

 as well as the stamens, being distinct and hypogynous. Ovary 

 superior ; styles 3 — 5 ; stigmas capitate. Fruit capsular, 3 — 5- 

 celled, placentation axile ; dehiscence loculicidal. Seeds nume- 

 rous, exalbuminous ; embryo straight. This order has been 

 variously i)laced, but it appears to be most nearly related to 

 Hypericaceae, although in some respects resembling the Alsine^e 

 of the Caryophyllaceae. 



Distribution and Numbers. — The plants of this small order 

 are scattered all over the world. Illustrative Genera : — Elatine, 

 Linn. ; Merimea, Camb. Lindley enumerates 22 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are generally considered acrid, 

 hence the English name of the order. 



Order 75. Hypericace^, the St. John's Wort Order. — 

 Character. — Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite or very 



