194 



many ; style simple ; the stigma having a cup-like fringe. 

 Fruit capsular, one or many- celled, and many- seeded ; 

 dehiscing at its apex. Seed attached either to the 

 axis or to the lining membrane of the fruit vessel. 

 Embryo straight ; albumen fleshy, and the radicle to- 

 wards the hilum. 



Herbs or shrubs with exstipulate alternate leaves and 

 flowers axillary or terminal. 



Geographical Relations. Countries bordering upon 

 the tropics. 



Properties. Often acrid, and sometimes poisonous. 



Officinal Plant. 

 Lobelia inflata. 



30. EEICACEJ3. 



Calyx inferior, 4-5 -cleft, persistent. Corolla mono- 

 petalous with 4-5 divisions, marescent, imbricated in 

 aestivation. Stamens equal to the number of the divi- 

 sions of the corolla, or twice as many, hypogynous ; 

 anthers two- celled, the cells dry, furnished with appen- 

 dages, and dehiscing by pores. Ovarium having at its 

 base a disk or scales, many- celled and seeded ; style 

 simple ; stigma sometimes toothed. Fruit capsular, 

 with many cells, placentae parietal. Seeds numerous 

 and small ; testa adhering to the body of the seed. 

 Embryo cylindrical, albumen fleshy, radicle towards the 

 hilum. 



More or less shrubby, with rigid, entire, exstipulate 

 evergreen leaves, and pedicels of the inflorescence brac- 

 teated. 



Geographical Relations. Common generally, except 

 in Australasia ; but occur in the greatest quantity at the 

 Cape of Good Hope. 



