442 



EXOGENOUS OR DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 



ments ; the persistent filaments long and flaccid. Ovary two- 

 834 saa celled : style single. Capsule (pyxis) 



membranaceous, opening by circumscis- 

 sile dehiscence ; the cells one- to several- 

 seeded. Embryo large, straight, in 

 fleshy albumen. Ex. Plantago, the 

 Plantain, or Ribgrass, is the principal 

 genus of the order. It is destitute of 

 any important economical qualities. 



831. Ord, Plumbaginaceae (the Leadwort 

 Family). Perennial herbs, or somewhat 

 A shruoby plants ; with the flowers often 

 on simple or branching scapes ; and the 

 leaves crowded at the base, entire, 

 mostly sheathing or clasping. Calyx 

 tubular, plaited, five-toothed, persistent. 

 Corolla hypocrateriform, with a five- 

 parted limb, the five stamens inserted on 

 the receptacle opposite its lobes (Plumbago) ; or else of five almost 

 distinct unguiculate (scarious or coria- 

 ceous) petals, with the stamens inserted 

 on their claws ! (Statice, &c.) In the for- 

 mer case the five styles are united nearly 

 to the top ; but in the latter they are sep- 

 arate ! Ovary one-celled, with a single 

 ovule pendulous from a strap-shaped fu- 

 niculus which rises from the base of the 

 cell. Fruit a utricle, or opening by 

 five valves. Embryo large, in thin albu- 

 men. Ex. Statice (Marsh Rosemary, 

 Sea Lavender), and Armeria (Thrift) ; 

 sea-side or saline plants. The Statices 

 have astringent roots ; none more so 

 than those of our own Marsh Rosemary 

 or Sea Lavender (S. Caroliniana), one 

 of the best and most intense astringents of the materia medica. 



FIG. 831. A flower enlarged. 832. Pistil. 833. Capsule (pyxis, 616) with the marcescent 

 corolla. 834. Cross-section of the capsule and seeds. 835. Vertical section of a seed. 



FIG. 836. Corolla, and 837, calyx of Thrift (Armeria vulgaris). 838. Pistil with distinct 

 styles. 839. Cross-section of the pod and seed. 840. Vertical section of the ovary, magnified, 

 to show the ovule. 



