362 CRUCIFER^E. 



(flftfd?, straight, and wXo'xo?, a plait or fold), 077 cotyledons condupli- 

 cate (folded), radicle dorsal (figs. 513, 570). 4. Spirolobeaj (c-z-eija, a 

 coil, and Ao/3oV, a lobe), || || cotyledons twice folded, radicle dorsal 

 (fig. 515). 5. Diplecolobeae (Sij, twice, v^ina, I fold or plait, and 

 A.i,3oV, a lobe), || || || cotyledons three times folded, radicle dorsal. 



760. The divisions founded on the seed-vessel, are 1. Siliquosaa, 

 a siliqua, linear or linear-lanceolate, valves opening longitudinally. 2. 

 Latiseptse (latus, broad, and septum, partition), a silicula, partition in 

 its broadest diameter, oval or oblong, valves flat or convex, opening 

 longitudinally. 3. Angustiseptae (angustus, narrow), a silictua, parti- 

 tion in its narrow diameter, linear or lanceolate, valves opening longi- 

 tudinally, folded and keeled. 4. Nucumentaceae (nucumentum, a nut), 

 silicula, valves indistinct or indehiscent, often 1 -celled, from the 

 absence of the replum or partition. 5. Septulatae (septa, partitions), 

 valves opening longitudinally, furnished with transverse partitions in 

 their interior. 6. Lomentaceae (lomentum, an articulate legume), sili- 

 qua or silicula, dividing transversely into single-seeded cells, the true 

 siliqua being often barren and all the seeds placed in the beak. 



761. In this order there is a want of symmetry as regards the 

 number of stamens, compared with the floral envelopes. The two long 

 stamens placed close together may, however, be looked upon as one 

 divided by a process of deduplication, so that the actual number will 

 thus be reduced to four. This view is confirmed by the shorter stamens 

 having teeth on each side, while the longer ones are toothed on one 

 side only. By pelorization, too, some Cruciferae become tetrandrous. 

 While there is a splitting of the filaments, there is also the production 

 of two additional anther-lobes. In regard to the fruit, it has been 

 stated, that normally there are four carpidia or carpels, two of which 

 are constantly abortive. In some species of Iberis there have been 

 seen four sepals, four petals, four stamens, and four carpels. Thus the 

 floral type of Cruciferae is quaternary: calyx having four sepals, corolla 

 four petals, receptacle four staminiferous glands, androecium four 

 stamens, gynoecium four phyllidia, fruit four carpidia. 



762. There are no truly poisonous plants in the order. In general, 

 it possesses antiscorbutic and stimulant qualities, with a certain degree 

 of acridity. Many of the most common culinary vegetables belong to 

 the order, such as Cabbages, Cauliflower, Turnip, Radish, Cress, Horse- 

 radish, &c. They contain much sulphur and nitrogen, and, on this 

 account, when decaying, give off a disagreeable odour. Many garden 

 flowers, such as Wall-flower, Stock, Rocket, and Honesty, are found in 

 this order. Brassica oleracea is the original species whence all the 

 varieties of Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brocoli and Savoys have been obtained 

 by the art of the gardener. The part of the Cauliflower used as food 

 is the deformed flower stalks. Brassica Rapa is the common Turnip, 

 while Brassica campestris is the source of the Swedish Turnip. Brassica 



