ICOSANDRIA MONOGTNIA. 299 



2. nuda. Leaves sublanceolale, interruptedly pinnati- 

 fid, segments obtuse, capsule naked, valves 3, seeds mar- 

 ginated; exierior stamina petaloid often sterile. Hab. 

 Near the Creat Bend of the Missouri, on gravelly hills, ap- 

 parently perennial, at least often existing 3 or 4 years, 

 judging from remaining vestiges. Obs. Possessing alt 

 the habits of the preceding, the specific character ex- 

 cepted. Obs. Leaves subcanescently hirsute, asperate, 

 pubescence short and appressed, hairs subulate and dia- 

 phanous, (through a common lens) repeatedly barbed from 

 the point to the base, after the manner of this and the 

 following genus; but never glandulous. Flowers smaller 

 than the preceding, of the same color, and making a 

 nearer approach towards MentzeUa by the external pC' 

 taloid filaments. 



The genus Bartonia one of the most singular and splen- 

 did m North America, appears to be distinctly concate- 

 nated with Loasa and MentzeUa, but approaches nearer to 

 the latter than the former, indeed nothing essentially se- 

 parates it from this genus, except the augmention of pe- 

 tals and the structure of the capsule and seeds, but these 

 exceptions on the other hand approximate it to Loasa, 

 from which it is e' sentially distinguished by the absence 

 of lepanthia or internal heteromorphous petals, by the un- 

 connected disposition of the stamina which are more nu- 

 merous, and also by the inferior position of the germ and 

 the perfect flatness of the converging valves of the calix. 

 — We have here for our reflection an additional proof of 

 the wonderful harmony of Nature, and a recommenda- 

 tion to the philosophical study of natural affinities. — Can 

 we be better employed than in occasionally contemplating 

 and demonstrating this vast and infinite chain, in which 

 even we ourselves are subservient^ — a mysterious but 

 sublime concatenation, to us without beginning and with- 

 out end! 



S27. MENTZELIA. Plumier. L. 



Calix 5-cleft, superior, deciduous. Petals 5. 

 Capsule inferior, 1 -celled, c>'lindric, 3 to 6 seed- 

 ed, summit flat, 3-vaIved. Seeds oblong, part- 

 ly angular, longitudinally arranged. 



A genus of herbaceous and asperate plants clothed with 

 multibarbe hairs; leaves alternate more or less ovate and 



tic researches made at the most imminent risk of persona! 

 safety! 



