Salicomta.] LXII. CHENOPODIACE.E. 371 



unisexual. Perianth single, calyx-like, deeply divided into 5, 

 or in some flowers fewer segments. Stamens 5, opposite the 

 perianth-segments, rarely fewer. Ovary free, with a single 

 ovule. Styles 2 or 3, either free or united at the base. Fruit 

 consisting of a single seed, enveloped in a very thin or some- 

 times succulent pericarp, and enclosed ia the persistent peri- 

 anth, which is sometimes enlarged or altered in form. Seed 

 usually orbicular and flattened ; the embryo curved or spirally 

 twisted, with or without albumen. 



The Order is spread over the greater part of the world, and is rather 

 numerous in species, especially in maritime situations, or within the 

 influence of a saline soil or atmosphere, where they sometimes, in 

 combination with Artemisias, give a general grey aspect to the country. 

 They are not easily confounded with any other British Order, but 

 approach very near to Amarantacece, an exotic family, chiefly distin- 

 guished by the presence of 2 or 3 small bracts under each flower, and 

 by the tendency of the perianth to become scarious or coloured. 



Stem succulent and Jointed, without leaves. Stamens 1 or 2 . 1. SALICOKNIA. 

 Btem leafy, not Jointed. Stamens 5. 

 Leaves narrow, semi-cylindrical (as thick as broad). 

 Leaves rather succulent and linear, not prickly. Fruiting 



perianth not altered 2. SU.EDA. 



Leaves prickly. Fruiting perianth encircled by a scarious 



wing 8. SALSOLA. 



Leaves flat 



Perianth mostly 5-cleft and regular, even when in fruit 

 Fruiting perianth succulent, enlarged, with prominent 



ribs or protuberances ....... 6. BETA. 



Fruiting perianth scarcely enlarged, herbaceous . . 4. CHENOPODIUM. 

 Perianth of the male flowers 5-cleft and regular. Fruiting 

 perianth (from female flowers) flat, consisting of 2 



much enlarged segments 6. ATRIPLEX. 



The Spinach of our gardens (Spinacia oleracea), probably from western 

 Asia, forms a genus closely allied to Atriplex, but with a differently 

 shaped fruiting perianth, and 4 styles. One or two species of Amarantus 

 belonging to the above-mentioned Amarantacece have occasionally 

 appeared amongst garden weeds in the neighbourhood of London, but 

 do not appear to have anywhere established themselves in Britain. The 

 Amarantacece include also the Love-lies-bleediug and Princes-feather (both 

 species of Amarantus), the globe Amaranth (a species of Gomphrena), the 

 Cock's-comb (Celosia), &c., of our gardens. [Amarantus retroflexus, Linn, 

 and A. Blitum, Linn., very common warm country European and Asiatic 

 weeds, occur here and there as outcasts from gardens, where they have 

 been introduced with foreign seeds.] 



I. SALICORNIA. MAESH SAMPHIRE. 



Succulent, jointed herbs, sometimes hard and woody at the base, 

 without leaves. Flowers immersed in the upper articles (or internodes) 

 forming terminal, succulent, cylindrical spikes, each article having 6 

 flowers, 3 in a triangle on each side. Perianth succulent, flat, and 

 nearly closed at the top ; the stamens (usually 2 or only 1) protruding 

 through the minutely 3- or 4-toothed orifice. Style included in tha 



