34 DIALYPETALOUS EXOGENS 



5. C. arv^nse, L. Pubescent; leaves lance-linear, acute; pani- 

 cle dichotomous, few-flowered, on a long peduncle. 

 C. tenuifolium. Pursh. $ Fl. Cestr. ed. 2. p. 278. 

 FIELD CERASTIUM. 



Perennial. Stems 4 to 6 or 8 inches high, numerous from the root, mostly sim- 

 ple, erector declined at base. Leaves an inch or inch and half long, sessile and 

 subconnaite, often with fascicles in the axils. Panicle usually twice dichotomous. 

 Capsule about one-third longer than the calyx. 

 Hob. Banks of Schuylkill : not common. Fl. May. Fr. June. 



Obs. This species may be indigenous to our continent; but I am 

 not quite certain it is a native here. 



SUBORDER III. ILLECE^BREAE. 



Petals often rudimentary or wanting; capsule 1-celled, sometimes utricular and 

 1-seeded ; leaves with scarious stipules. 



57. AIVY'CIIIA, MX. 



[Gr. Onyx, onychos, a finger nail ; being a supposed cure for whitlows.] 

 Sepals connected at base, connivent and subcucullate at apex. Petals 

 none. Stamens 2 to 5, mostly 3. Stigmas 2, subsessile. Utricle 

 membranaceous, larger than the calyx. 



1. A. il icliotonm, MX. Slender and dichotomously branching ; 

 leaves lance-oblong, cuneate at base, subsessile. 

 DICHOTOMOUS ANYCHIA. Forked Chickweed. 



Annual ? Steins 4 to 8 or 10 inches high, very slender and diffusely branched, 

 often purplish. Leaves about half an inch long, varying from lance-linear to obo- 

 vate. Flowers inconspicuous, solitary in the forks, or in small terminal cymules. 

 Utricle verrucose. 

 Hah. Dry, hilly woodlands : common. Fl. June. Fr. Aug. 



SUBORDER IV. MOLLUGPNEAE. 



Petals none; stamens 3 to 5 when 3, alternating with the cells of the ovary; cap- 

 sule completely 3-celled, many-seeded ; stipules obsolete. 



58. MIIL-U^GO, L. 



[An old Latin name, coined from mollis, soft.] 



Sepals 5, connected at base. Stamens usually 3, hypogynous. Stig- 

 mas 3, subsessile. Capsule 3-valved, loculicidal. 

 1. M. vertlcillata, L. Prostrate and dichotomously branching ; 

 leaves verticillate, spatulate-oblanceolate ; peduncles axillary, soli- 

 tary, or subumbellate. 

 VERTICILLATE MOLLUGO. Carpet-weed. Indian Chickweed. 



Annual. Stem branching from the root in all directions, 4 to 8 or 12 inches 

 long, appressed to the earth. Leaves about an inch long, unequal, usually in 

 verticils of 6, somewhat succulent. Sepals with the margins and inside white, 

 Hob. Cultivated grounds : common. Fl. July. Fr. Aug. 



ORDER XVII. PORTULACA^CEAE. 



Herbs; leaves entire, succulent; flowers regular but unsymmetrical, viz : the sepals 

 fewer than the petals; stamens opposite the petals, or more numerous : capsule 

 1-celled, few- or many-seeded ; embryo curved around mealy albumen. 



59. PORTUL,A X CA, Tournef. 



[A name of uncertain derivation and obscure meaning.] 



Sepals 2, united, and adhering to the ovary, below. Petals mostly 



