376 



THE POPULAR EDUCATOR. 



ovules one or many, ascendant and erect, reflexed ; capsules 

 t'ollicalar or bacciform, free or coherent , seed dicotyledonous, 

 small, at the base of a fleshy albumen, with a pulpy aril. 



The DillcniacocB are allied to the Magtioliacece, from which 

 they are separated by the characteristics of the number and 

 lateral position of their stamens, the qui- 

 nary division of their floral envelopes, 

 always urn-serial, and theirastringent pro- 

 perties. They differ from the Ramvncu- 

 lacecB in their general aspect, their often 

 unilateral stamens, their seed, arillus, 

 and their astringent qualities. They are 

 for the most part inhabitants of Asia and 

 America, south cf the equator. The 

 bark of many species is employed by 

 tanners. The fruit of many species i3 

 sour. The Hibberlia vohibilis (Fig. 258) 

 is an evergreen climbing shrub, indi- 

 genous to Australia. 



SECTION C.-CABOMBACE^:, OB 

 WATERSHIELDS. 



Characteristics : Sepals three or four, 



iu aestivation ; stamens equal in number to the petals, or 

 some multiple of that number ; anthers extrorse ; ovary 

 free ; placentas parietal, three or ten ; ovules reflexed : 

 styles free : stigmas capitate ; capsule loculicidal with 

 seminiferous valves ; albumen fleshy ; stem herbaceous, 

 occasionally sub-ligneous ; leaves alter- 

 nate or radical, ciliated and without 

 stipules ; flowers solitary or in one-sided 

 racemes. 



The principal genns belonging to this 

 natural order is Droscra, all the species 

 of which are acrid, bitter, vesicating, and 

 generally dangerous. 



The Dionaea muscipula, or Venus's 

 Fly-trap (Fig. 2G1), is a biennial plant 

 of Carolina, the excitability 01 which is 

 fatal to flies and other insects. Its leaves 

 are each terminated by two rounded 

 plates fringed with sharp spikes. Be- 

 tween these two plates is a hinge on 

 which they turn, closing together like the 

 two sides of a book-cover. On the upper 

 face of each leaf there are three hairs. 



25?. THOMPSON'S MAGNOLIA (MAGNOLIA 

 THOMPSONI iNA). 258. TWINING 



HITiBERTlA (H'.BBEBTIA VOLUBI- 

 LIS). 



petaloid ; petals hypogynons, equal 

 i n number to the sepals ; imbricated 

 in aestivation, persistent; stamens 

 double or multiple the number of 

 the petals ; carpels two or more 

 free ; two or three superior ovules, 

 pendent, reflexed ; fruit indehiscent ; 

 -.tern floating ; lower leaves, oppo- 

 site, submerged, with capillary seg. 

 r nents ; the upper leaves alternate, 



;md floating, orbicular or peltate in form. There are only two 

 plants in this family, the Cabomba aquatica and Hydropeliis 

 purpurea, the latter of which is a pretty plant for a large aqua- 

 rium. 



SECTION CI. DROSEEACEJE, OE SUNDEWS. 

 Characteristics: Sepals five, free, or almost free; petals 

 hypogynous, five, alternate with the sepals; imbricated 



259. DIIUMMOND'S SIDE-SADDLE FLOWER 

 (SARRACENIA DRUSIMONDIl). 260, 



itHtBARB (RHEUM BHAPONTI- 

 CUM). 



which secrete a saccharine liquor. 

 This attracts flies and other insects, 

 which, however, no sooner touch the 

 leaf, than the two sides, turning on 

 their common hinge, close upon the 

 insect, which is thus caught in a trap. 



SECTION CII. SARRACENIACEJE. 

 OE SAREACENIADS. 



Characteristics : Sepals three to six ; 



petals hypogynons, equal in number to the sepals, alternate with 

 them, and unguiculated, or absent ; stamens indefinite ; ovary 

 three to five-celled, pluri-ovulate ; ovules reflexed ; capsule locu- 

 licidal ; embryo dicotyledonous, very small, lying at the base of 

 a fleshy albumen ; aquatic herbs, perennials ; leaves radical and 

 petiolated, petiole tubular or cornet-shaped ; limb smal'. ordina- 

 rily inflected upon the orifice of the petiole. This North American 



