THE POLYPETALOUS ORDERS. 



391 



none. The peculiarity of the stamens is explained, and a diagram 

 of the flower of Elodea is given, on p. 252. 



726. Ord, ElatinaceSB (the Waterwort Family). Small, annual 

 weeds, with opposite leaves, membrariaceous stipules, and minute 

 axillary flowers. Sepals and petals three to five. Stamens as 

 many or twice as many as the petals, distinct. Capsule 2-5- 

 celled, septicidal or septifragal ; the numerous seeds attached to a 

 persistent central axis. Albumen none. Ex. Elatine is the type 

 of this order, containing a few insignificant weeds. 



727. Ord, Caryophyllaceffi (the Pink Family). Herbs, with oppo- 

 site entire leaves ; the stems tumid at the nodes. Flowers regular. 

 Calyx of four or five sepals. Corolla of four or five petals, or 

 sometimes wanting. Stamens as many, or commonly twice as 



juice of the Hebradendron cambogioides of Ceylon ; but the tree is supposed 

 to have been imported from Siam by the Buddhists, to whom it is sacred, on 

 account of the yellow color it yields. The gamboge from Siam forms the 

 best pigment. Clusia flava yields the Hog-gurfi of Jamaica. The hot aro- 

 matic Candla bark, or False Winter's -bark, is derived from the Canella alba 

 of the West Indies. Notwithstanding the acrid properties of this order, Gar- 

 cinia Mangostana of Malacca yields one of the most delicious of fruits, the 

 Mangostecn. 



ORD. TAMARISCINEJE consists of Tamarix and one or two other gen- 

 era of sea-side plants, natives of Europe and Asia : they are ornamental, 

 shrubby plants, with small scale-like and somewhat fleshy leaves, and an as- 

 tringent bark. 



FIG. 553. Hypericum perforatum (St. John's-wort). 554. Its tricarpellary pistil. 555. 

 Cross-section of the capsule. 556. Vertical section of a seed and its embryo. 



