LENTIBULARIACE^E. 473 



stigma 2-lobed, rarely entire. Fruit a 2 -celled capsule, dehiscing by 



2 elastic valves, in a loculicidal manner. Seeds 2 or many in each 

 cell, sometimes solitary, roundish, attached to hard, persistent, hooked 

 or subulate ascending processes of the placenta ; testa loose ; albumen 

 ; embryo curved or straight ; cotyledons large, leafy ; radicle 

 cylindrical, next the hilum. Herbaceous plants or shrubs, with 

 opposite, exstipulate, simple leaves, and bracteated flowers; 2 or 



3 large leafy bracts accompanying each flower. They abound in 

 tropical regions. The order has been divided into three tribes: 1. 

 Thunbergieae, with the placental processes in the form of a hard cup, 

 supporting the seed. 2. Nelsoniese, with the placental processes con- 

 tracted into a papilla, bearing the seed, which is small and pitted. 3. 

 Echmatacanthi, with the placental processes hooked. There are 105 

 genera, according to Lindley, and about 750 species. Examples 

 Thunbergia. Nelsonia, Acanthus, Justicia, Ruellia. 



971. The plants of the order have mucilaginous and bitter proper- 

 ties in general, but they are not put to important uses. The leaves of 

 Acanthus, with their sinuated lobes, gave origin to the capital of the 

 Corinthian pillar. Acanthus mollis has emollient qualities. The seeds 

 of Acanthodium spicatum have beautiful spiral cefls in their episperm 

 (If 11). The style of Ruellia (Goldfussia) anisophylla exhibits a peculiar 

 irritability ; its curved stigmatic apex becoming gradually straightened 

 so as to come into contact with the hairs of the corolla upon which the 

 pollen is scattered. Many of the species of Justicia, Ruellia, and Aphe- 

 landra, are cultivated in hothouses on account of their showy flowers. 



972. Order 140. r,cmibulariacese, the Butterwort Family. (Mono- 

 pet. Hypog.) Calyx inferior, divided, persistent. Corolla monopetal- 

 ous, hypogynous, irregular, bilabiate, usually spurred. Stamens 2, 

 inserted into the base of the corolla, and included; anthers monothecal, 

 sometimes contracted in the middle. Ovary free, composed of 2 car- 

 pellary leaves, unilocular; ovules 00, anatropal; placenta free, central; 

 style 1, very short; stigma bilamellar. Fruit a 1 -celled capsule, 

 dehiscing transversely, or by an apicilar cleft. Seeds numerous, 

 minute, exalbummous; embryo sometimes undivided; radicle next 

 the hilum. Aquatic or marsh herbaceous plants, with radical leaves, 

 which are sometimes compound, and bear little bladders or ampullae. 

 Flowers often on scapes. They are found in all parts of the world, 

 and abound in the tropics. Lindley enumerates 4 genera, including 

 173 species. Examples Utricularia, Pinguicula. 



973. The plants of the order have no properties of importance. The 

 name of Butterwort, given to the species of Pinguicula, may be derived 

 from the property of giving consistence to milk. Others say that it 

 has reference to the greasy appearance of their foliage. Of the four 

 British species, one (P. grandiflora) is peculiar to Ireland, and another 

 (P. alpina) is peculiar to Scotland. Utricularias, Bladderworts, 



