222 LXXYI. PRIMULACE^. 



site each lobe. Ovary free or half-inferior, 1-celled ; ovules on 

 a fleshy central placenta, peltate ; style 1. Capsule 1-celled, 

 openini^ by teeth or valves, or splitting across the middle into 

 2 halves. — Herbaceous plants, very rarely slightly ligneous at 

 base ; known from Myrsinece by habit and the ^-apsular fruit. 

 The "Primrose" and "Auricula," and many m^re spring 

 flowers of English gardens, are of this Order. 



Ovary quite free. Calyx and corolla deeply 5-parted. 

 Stamens glabrous. Capsule opening at top by 5-10 



valves 1. Ltsimachia. 



Stamens hairy. Capsule splitting across into 2 hemi- 

 spheres 2. Anagallis. 



Ovary half-inferior. Corolla salver-shaped, its 5 lobes 

 alternating with 5 scales in the throat 3. Samolus. 



1. LYSIMACHIA, Linn. 



Calyx 5-parted. Corolla subrotate or bell-shaped, 5-parted, 

 longer than the calyx. Stamens 5, at the base of the corolla. 

 Capsule globose, opening at the apex by 5-10 valves, many- 

 seeded. — DC. Prod. viii. p. 60. 



A large genus, chiefly of the iS'orthern hemisphei'e. — L. ymtayis {Luhinia 

 atropurpurea, Y.), our only species, grows in the Eastern district. It is a 

 glabrous, subsimple herb, with lanceolate, entire leaves and a terminal ra- 

 ceu^.e of handsome, tubular-bellshaped, nodding, dark purple flowers. 



2. ANAGALLIS, Tourn. 



Calyx 5-parted. Corolla rotate or bell-shaped, longer than 

 the calyx, very deeply 5-parted. Stamens 5, inserted at the 

 base of the corolla ; filaments bearded. Capsule globose, 

 splitting across the middle into hemispherical halves, many- 

 seeded.— ^Z. Cap. ill p. 69 ; Thes. Cap. t. 4. 



Small annuals or perennials, mostly difiiise. Leaves opposite or alter- 

 nate. Flowers bright scarlet rosy purple or white, opening in sunshine. 

 The " Pimpernel," or " Poor Man's Weather-glass," a weed naturalized 

 from Europe, is common. There are also 2 or 3 perennial African species 

 in the Eastern district and at Natal. 



3. SAMOLUS, Linn. 



Calyx half-inferior, 5-fid. Corolla salver-shaped or bell- 

 shaped ; limb 5-parted, with 5 alternating scales crowning the 

 tube. Stamens 5, inserted in the base of the corolla ; anthers 

 basifixed. Ovary half inferior, many-seeded. Capsule open- 

 ing at top by 5 valves. — DC. Prod. viii. p. 72. 



Herbs, found chiefly on muddy seashores. Flowers white, small. — 2 

 Cape species, dispersed. 



