446 



EXOGENOUS OR DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 



cither suppressed or reduced to sterile filaments, inserted on the 

 corolla. Ovary free, two-celled, with the placentae united in the 

 axis. Capsule two-valved. Seeds indefinite, albuminous. Em- 

 bryo small. Ex. Scrophularia, Verbascum (Mullein, which is 

 remarkable for the nearly regular corolla, with five perfect sta- 

 mens), Linaria, Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), &c. The plants 

 of this large and important order are generally to be suspected of 

 deleterious (bitter, acrid, or drastic) properties. The most impor- 

 tant medicinal plant is the Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), so re- 

 markable for its power of lowering the pulse. Numerous species 

 are cultivated for ornament. 



838. Ord, Verbenaceae (the Vervain Family). Herbs, shrubs, or 

 even trees in the tropics, mostly with opposite leaves. Calyx 

 tubular, four- or five-toothed, persistent. Corolla bilabiate, or the 

 four- or five-lobed limb more or less irregular. Stamens mostly 

 four and didynamous, occasionally only two, inserted on the co- 

 rolla. Ovary free, entire, two- to four-celled. Fruit drupaceous, 

 baccate, or dry, and splitting into two to four indehiscent one- 

 seeded portions. Seeds with little or no albumen. Embryo 

 straight, inferior. Ex. Verbena (Vervain, Fig. 863-871) is the 



principal representative in cooler regions. There are many others 



FIG. 863 and 864. Flower of a Verbena enlarged. 865. The corolla laid open. 866. Pistil. 

 867. The fruit. 868. Cross-section of the young fruit and the contained seeds. 869. Fruit sep- 

 arating into its four nucules. 870. Cross-section of one nucule or pericarp, and a vertical sec- 

 tion of the lower part, showing the surface of the contained seed. 871. Vertical section through 

 thJ nucule, seed, and embryo. . 



