STELLARIA. 



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Fig. XVIII.— Diantluis Caryophyllus : 2, a flower, showing all the organs ; 3, the 

 ovary and two styles ; 4, a petal of Sileue staWata, Jitnbriate (fringed) and unguiculaU 

 (petiolate) ; 5, a petal of Cerastium, bifid. 



apparently veinless leaves at each joint, and a terminal (cen- 

 trifugal) inflorescence. 



The Flower Regiox. — The flowers, few and large, on 

 account of their peculiar grace and elegance, have been cele- 

 brated in story and song from the earliest times. The green 

 calyx, of 5 united sepals, as seen by their disunited ends, is 

 truly a floiuer-ciq) or vase, supported at the base by 2 or 3 

 ovate bractlots. The 5 petals, arranged with consummate art, 

 insert their long claws (petioles ?) within the vase, forming 

 a fringed and tinted corolla. Likewise the 10 long stamens 

 and 2 styles. The ovary is but one, becoming a 1-celled, 

 4-valvcd, capsular fruit. The many black seeds with embryo 

 but little curved, and mealy albumen, cover the frce-ceufral 

 placenta. 



