228 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Order XXXII. HAMAMELACE^ (Witch- Hazel Family). 



Shrubs. Leaves alternate. Stipules deciduous. Calyx 4- 

 cleft. Petals 4, linear, sometimes none. Stamens 8, those op- 

 posite the petals barren, or else many, and all fertile ; inserted on 

 the calyx. Ovary 2-celled. Styles 2, distinct. Capsule coria- 

 ceous, or woody, 2-beaked, 2-celled, free from the calyx at apex. 



Hamamelis. Calyx 4-parted, 2-3-bracted at base. Petals 4, very 

 long, linear. Fertile stamens 4. Sterile ones 4, scale-like. Capsule 

 2-celled. 2f 



H. VIRGINIANA ( Witch Hazel). Leaves obovate or oval, toothed, on 

 short petioles, nearly smooth ; flowers sessile, 3-4 together, axillary ; petals 

 narrowly linear, curled or twisted, yellow ; calyx downy ; ovary hirsute. A 

 shrub of irregular growth, 10-15 feet high. December. 



Order XXXIII. HALORAGEJE (Water- Milfoil Family]. 



Marshy plants with small flowers, sessile in the axils of leaves. 

 Calyx-tube united with ovary. Stamens 1-8. Cotyledons small ; 

 embryo in the axis of the albumen. 



Floral parts in ^sMyriopkytlum. 



Floral parts in 3's Proserpmaca. 



1. Myriophyllum. Flowers monoecious, or frequently perfect. 

 Calyx 4-toothed or 4-parted. Petals 4, often minute or wanting. 

 Stamens 4-8. Fruit consisting of 4 nut-like, indehiscent carpels, co- 

 hering by their inner angles, y. 



i.'M. SPICATUM (Water Milfoil). Leaves in 3's, pinnately parted, with 

 capillary segments ; flowers greenish, small, in terminal, nearly naked spikes ; 

 petals broad-ovate. An aquatic plant in deep ponds. July-August. 



2. M. AMBIGUUM (Milfoil). Leaves alternate ; submersed ones pin- 

 nately parted, with capillary segments ; upper ones linear, entire, or slightly 

 toothed, petiolate ; flowers axillary, minute ; petals oblong, somewhat per- 

 sistent. An aquatic, with floating stems, in ponds and ditches. 



2. Proserpinaca. Calyx-tube 3-sided, with a 3-parted limb. 

 Petals none. Stamens 3. Stigmas 3, oblong. Fruit bony, 3-sided, 

 3-celled, crowned with the pei^sistent calyx. -%. 



P. PALUSTRIS (Mermaid -weed). Stem ascending at base, striate, 

 smooth ; leaves alternate, lanceolate, sharply serrate ; those below the water 

 pinnatifid ; flowers small, green, axillary, 1-3 together, followed by a hard, 

 triangular nut. In shaded, shallow water, 6'-i2' high. June-July. 



Order XXXIV. MELASTOMACE.E. 



Trees, shrubs, or herbs, with square branches. Leaves oppo- 

 site, ribbed, entire. Sepals 4-6, united, persistent, forming an 



