420 CRASSULACE^E FICOIDEJE OR MESEMBRYACE.E. 



Found in barren places in various parts of Europe, Asia, and North 

 America. They have no known properties of importance. The order 

 has been divided into two sections:^!. Dlecebreae, with the embryo 

 lying on one side of the albumen, and stipulate leaves. 2. Scleranthese, 

 with a peripherical embryo, and exstipulate leaves. There are 28 

 known genera, and nearly 120 species. Examples Paronychia, Ille- 

 cebrum, Polycarpon, Corrigiola, Scleranthus. 



880. Order 90. Cnumuiacere, the Houseleek Family (figs. 535, 

 536). (Pofypet. Perigyn.) Sepals 3-20, more or less united at the 

 base (fig. 258 c c). Petals equal to the sepals in number, inserted in 

 the bottom of the calyx (fig. 258 p p), either distinct or cohering in a 

 gamcpetalous corolla. Stamens inserted with the petals, either equal 

 to them in number, and alternate with them (fig. 258 e e), or twice as 

 many, those opposite the petals being shortest ; sometimes one or two 

 rows of abortive stamens ; filaments distinct, or united, subulate ; 

 anthers bilocular, dehiscing longitudinally or transversely. Abortive 

 stamens or scales (sometimes obsolete), at the base of each carpel (fig. 

 258 a a). Carpels equal in number to the petals and opposite to them, 

 1-celled (fig. 258 o 0), sometimes consolidated ; styles several or com- 

 bined ; stigmas pointed or 4-cornered ; ovules 00, or definite, anatro- 

 pal. Fruit consisting of several follicles, dehiscing by the ventral 

 suture, sometimes by the dorsal suture. Seeds variable in number ; 

 embryo straight, in the midst of fleshy albumen ; radicle pointing to 

 the hilum. Herbaceous plants or shrubs, often succulent, with simple, 

 entire, or pinnatifid, exstipulate leaves. They are found in the driest 

 situations, as on rocks, walls, and sandy plains, in various parts of the 

 world. Some of them are acrid, as Sedum acre, Biting Stonecrop ; 

 others are refrigerant, from the presence of an acid, such as malic acid. 

 Sempervivum tectorum is commonly known as the Houseleek. Bryophyllum 

 catycinum is remarkable for the property of producing germinating 

 buds at the edges of its leaves (^[ 199). There are two suborders : 

 1. Sempervivese, with carpellary scales, numerous separate carpels in 

 the pistil. 2. Galaciea? or Francoese, without true scales, pistil con- 

 solidated. There are 25 genera, and about 460 species. Examples 

 Crassula, Sempervivum, Cotyledon, Sedum, Penthorum, Galax, 

 Francoa. 



881. Order 91. Ficoidete or Hlesembryacete, the Ficoid or Mesem- 

 bryanthemum Family. (Polypet. Perigyn.) Sepals definite, usually 

 5, but varying from 4-8, more or less combined at the base, adherent 

 to the ovary or distinct from it, equal or unequal ; aestivation valvate 

 or imbricate. Petals indefinite, coloured, sometimes 0. Stamens 

 perigynous, distinct, definite or indefinite; anthers oblong, incumbent. 

 Ovary usually many- celled; stigmas several, distinct; ovules 00, ana- 

 tropal or amphitropal, attached by cords to the placenta, which is 

 either central or parietal. Fruit a many-celled capsule, opening in 



