POLYGALACE-^. 75 



gradually at their base. Sepals linear, obtuse. Capsule bluntly 

 angular. Seeds oblong, in a lax, slightly rough coat. 



In bogs, Norfolk, Lancashire, and in Scotland. 



Var. D. obovata, M. and K. Leaves obovate, broader than in 

 the type. Capsule ovate, shorter than the calyx. This variety 

 is not rare in Ireland. 



Parnassia, Tourn. — Herbaceous, perennial, glabrous plants, 

 with cordate, coriaceous leaves and terminal white flowers. Se- 

 pals five, slightly united at the base. Petals five, caducous. Sta- 

 mens five. Anthers opening by two longitudinal slits. Necta- 

 riferous scales five, opposite to the petals, and deeply divided into 

 numerous fringes, which have each a glandular odargement. 

 Stigmas four, nearly sessile, entire. Capsule one-celled, with pa- 

 rietal placentas and four valves. Seeds in a lax, reticulate testa. 



P. palustris, Lin. Grass of Parnassus. — e.b. 82. l.b.s. 436. 

 A. 16. C. 60. Lat. 50-61°. Alt. 0-900 yds. Tern. 50-38°. 



Root thick, horizontal. Stems solitary or several, simple, erect, 

 angular. Root-leaves cordate on long stalks ; stem-leaf cordate, 

 clasping. Sepals ovate-oblong, blunt, shorter than the petals. 

 Capside ovate. 



Wet places, especially in the north. Per. ; August-Scpt. 



POLYGALACE^, Juss. The Milkwort Family. 



Perennial, herbaceous or half-shrubby plants, with entire, al- 

 ternate, sessile leaves, and clustered, terminal, irregular flowers. 

 Calyx persistent. Sepals five, very unequal, the three outer ones 

 small, herbaceous, the two inner or lateral very large and peta- 

 loid (like petals). Corolla caducous. Petals three, very unequal 

 (in European species), connate, the lower petal (keel) large and 

 concave, with a deeply laciniate limb (crest). Stamens eight, 

 combined in a tube and adhering to the petals. Anthers erect, 

 one-celled, opening by terminal pores, in two parcels. Ovary fi^ee, 

 consisting of two compressed carpels, with solitary, suspended 

 ovules. Fruit capsidar, two-celled, compressed, with one pendu- 

 lous seed in each cell, with an aril (an expansion of the medium 

 by which the seed is connected with the placenta). Perisperm 

 fleshy. Embryo straight or slightly bent. Radicle short, ap- 

 proaching the hilum. 



PoLYGALA, Lin. — Stems usually numerous, tufted. Leaves Ian- 



