528 PONTEDERIACE^ XYRIDACE.E JDNCACEJE PALM^E. 



properties unknown. The description of the flower is in accordance 

 with Arnott's view, and differs from that of Lindley, who considers 

 the perianth as bracts, and the outer verticil of stamens as the perianth. 

 There are 2 genera and 5 species. Examples Gilliesia, Miersia. 



1080. Order 198. Pomedcriacete, the Pontederia Family. (Mono- 

 perigyn.) Perianth tubular, coloured, 6-parted, more or less irregular; 

 SBStivation circinate. Stamens 3-6, perigynous; anthers introrse. 

 Ovary free, or slightly adherent, 3-celled; ovules numerous, anatropal; 

 style 1; stigma simple. Fruit a 3-celled, 3-valved capsule, with 

 loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds 00, attached to a central axis ; testa 

 membranous; hilum small; embryo straight, in the axis of somewhat 

 mealy albumen; radicle next the hilum. Aquatic or marsh plants 

 with sheathing, parallel-veined leaves, which are sometimes cordate or 

 sagittate, and have inflated petioles. The flowers are spathaceous. They 

 are natives of North and South America, East Indies, and Africa. 

 Their properties are unimportant. There are 6 genera, according to 

 Lindley, and 30 species. Examples Pontederia, Leptanthus. 



1081. Order 199. Xyridacete, the Xyris Family. (Nono-perigyn.) 

 Perianth 6-parted, hi two verticils; the outer glumaceous, the inner 

 petaloid. Stamens 6, 3 fertile, inserted into the claws of the inner 

 perianth; anthers extrorse. Ovary single, 1 -celled; ovules 00, ortho- 

 tropal, attached to parietal placentas; style trifid; stigmas obtuse, 

 multifid or undivided. Fruit a 1 -celled, 3-valved capsule. Seeds 

 numerous; embryo on the outside of mealy albumen, remote from 

 the hilum. Herbs having a sedge-like aspect, with radical leaves, equi- 

 tant and sheathing at the base, and scaly heads of flowers. Natives 

 chiefly of tropical regions, having no important properties. There are 

 about 6 genera, and 70 species. Examples Xyris, Abolboda, Phily- 

 drum? 



1082. Order 200. Juncacete, the Rush Family. (Mono-hypo- 

 perigyn.) Perianth 6-parted, more or less glumaceous. Stamens 6, in- 

 serted into the base of the segments, sometimes 3, and opposite the 

 outer segments; anthers 2-celled, introrse. Ovary 1 -3-celled; ovules 

 1, 3, or many in each cell, anatropal ; style 1 ; stigmas generally 3, 

 sometimes 1. Fruit a 3-valved capsule, with loculicidal dehiscence, 

 sometimes indehiscent. Seeds with the testa neither black nor crusta- 

 ceous ; embryo very minute, near the hilum, within fleshy or cartila- 

 ginous albumen. Herbs, with fasciculated or fibrous roots, hollow, 

 grooved, or flat leaves, with parallel veins. They are natives chiefly 

 of the colder regions of the globe. Many species of Juncus are used 

 for making the bottoms of chairs, mats, &c., and the central cellular 

 tissue forms the wicks of rush lights. There are 14 known genera, and 

 upwards of 200 species. Examples Juncus, Luzula, Narthecium, 

 Astelia. 



1083. Order 201. Painue, the Palm Tribe. (Mono-perigyn.) 





