200 



CHENOPODIACE.E. 



[CLASS 



The mealy seeds of C. Quinoa form an important article 

 of food on the slopes of the Peruvian and Chilian Andes, 

 but it is said to be less productive than Buckwheat (Poly- 

 gonum Fagopyruwi). Artificial Shagreen used to be made 

 by pressing a piece of leather upon the seeds of White 

 Goosefoot so as to raise a warted surface. 



From the ash (called Barilla) of species common upon 

 the sea-shore, as Glasswort (Salicornia herbaced] and 

 Saltwort (Salsola Kali)) carbonate of soda used formerly 

 to be obtained. 



53. Natural Order Polygonaceae. The Knotgrass 

 Family. 



DISTRIBUTION. In both hemispheres, from the arctic 

 zone to the equator. British genera 3, species 22. 



Herbs, with sheathing stipules. Ovary 

 ovule. 



-celled with I erect 



Type Bistort (Polygonum Bistortd). 



Herb with perennial stock, petiolate radical leaves, and 

 erect simple stems bearing dense terminal spikes of pale 

 pink flowers. 



OBSERVE the sheathing, membranous stipules charac- 

 teristic of the Order : the trimerous symmetry (character- 

 istic of Monocotyledons) of Rhubarb (Rheum} and Dock 

 (Rumex\ and the enlargement of the 3 inner segments 

 of the perianth after flowering, in these genera : the 



