LINE.E. 171 



external superior sepal. Stamens mostly 8, hypogynous, 

 usually monadelphous below, with clavate and one-celled 

 anthers, which dehisce by terminal pores. Ovarium supe- 

 rior, of two cells, one placed anterior, and one posterior, 

 the upper one occasionally abortive, ovules mostly soli- 

 tary and pendulous from the apex of the placentae. 

 Style curved, occasionally oblique or hooded at its extre- 

 mity, which may be entire or lobed. Fruit with a locu- 

 licidal dehiscence, rarely indehiscent, and drupaceous or 

 winged. Seeds pendulous and solitary, carunculate, ge- 

 nerally with much fleshy albumen, and the embryo with 

 the radicle next the hilum. 



Herbaceous or shrubby plants with exstipulate, mostly 

 simple and alternate leaves, juices often lactescent, and 

 the inflorescence generally racemose, the pedicles having 

 three bractea. 



Allied distantly to the Leguminosae. 



Geographical Relations, Though a small family, 

 pretty generally scattered over the globe, the genera 

 being limited, however, to particular regions on it. 



Properties. Bitterness and astringency are the chief 

 characters ; but one member of the family, Polygala ve- 

 menata, is said to be poisonous. Senegine and Polyga- 

 line are principles said to have been obtained from some 

 of the tribe. 



Officinal Plants. 



Polygala senega. 

 Krameria triandra. 



6. LINE.E. 



Sepals 5 (rarely 3-4), continuous with the peduncle, 

 imbricated during aestivation and persistent. Petals 

 equal in number to the sepals, unguiculate and contorted 



