414 HALORAGEACEJE LOASACEJ2 CUCUBBITACE.E. 



and upwards of 450 species. Examples CEnothera, Epilobium, Jussia?a, 

 Montinia, Fuchsia, Circaea, Gaura, Trapa. 



869. Order 81. Haiorageaceie, the Mare's-tail Family. (Poly pet. 

 Epigyn.) Calyx with a minute limb, which is either 3-4- divided or 

 entire; it is sometimes reduced to a mere rim. Petals epigynous or 

 0. Stamens epigynous, equal in number to the petals, or twice as 

 many, rarely fewer; when the petals are wanting, stamens often 1 or 

 2. Ovary cohering with the tube of the calyx, with 1 or more cells, 

 sometimes tetragonal or compressed. Style 0, what is frequently called 

 the styles being the papulose stigmas, which are equal in number to 

 the cells; ovules pendulous, anatropal. Fruit dry, indehiscent, mem- 

 branous or bony, with 1 or more cells. Seed solitary or in pairs, 

 pendulous; albumen fleshy or thin; embryo straight, or slightly 

 curved, in the axis of the albumen; cotyledons minute; radicle superior, 

 long. Herbs or undershrubs, often aquatic, with large air cavities, 

 having alternate, opposite, or whorled leaves, and axillary, sessile 

 flowers, which are occasionally unisexual. They are found in ditches 

 and lakes in various parts of the world. They have no properties of 

 importance. There are 8 known genera, and about 70 species. Exam- 

 ples Hippuris, Myriophyllum, Haloragis, Callitriche. 



870. Order 82. i>o:i*a<, : . the Chili-Nettle Family. (Poli/pet. 

 Epigyn.) Calyx 4-5-parted, persistent, spreading in aestivation. 

 Petals 5, cucullate, epigynous, alternate with the segments of the calyx, 

 sometimes with an inner row of 5, which are either similar to the outer 

 or dissimilar; aestivation inflexed, valvate, or twisted. Stamens oo , in 

 several rows, distinct, or polyadelphous, each parcel being opposite the 

 outer petals; filaments subulate, unequal, the outer ones often sterile. 

 Ovary inferior, 1 -celled, with parietal placentas; ovules anatropal; 

 styles combined into 1 ; stigma 1 or several. Fruit capsular or suc- 

 culent, 1 -celled. Seeds without an arillus; embryo straight, in the 

 axis of fleshy albumen; cotyledons small, flat; embryo pointing to the 

 hilum. Herbaceous plants, hispid with stinging hairs, having oppo- 

 site or alternate exstipulate leaves, and axillary 1 -flowered peduncles. 

 They are American plants, chiefly distinguished for their stinging 

 qualities, and hence the name of Chili-Nettle. There are 15 genera 

 enumerated by Lindley, including 70 species. Examples Loasa, 

 Mentzelia, Gronovia. 



871. Order 83. Cucnrbitacece, the Cucumber Family. (Polypet.or 

 Monopet. Epigyn. and Diclines.) Calyx 5-toothed (figs. 396 /, 606 e), 

 sometimes obsolete. Petals 5, distinct, or more or less united, some- 

 times scarcely distinguishable from the calyx, strongly marked with 

 reticulated veins (figs. 396^>, 606^>), sometimes fringed. Stamens 5, 

 distinct or united in one or three parcels, attached to the petals (fig. 

 606 e); anthers bilocular, sinuous (figs. 332, 607 a); ovary (figs. 

 396 o, 608 c 0) adhering to the tube of the calyx, 1 -celled, formed by 



