396 



ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE NATURAL ORDERS. 



stipules, the ovary is sessile, the sepals and petals (imbricated in 

 aestivation) are nearly or quite distinct; the petals destitute of claws; 

 and the stamens are inserted into the margin of a small hypogynous 

 disk, which, however, occasionally coheres with the base of the calyx, 

 and becomes perigynous. — Ex. Slellaria, Arenaria, &c. (Chick- 

 weeds). Some are 

 ornamental ; others, 

 such as the common 

 Chickweed, are in- 

 significant weeds. 



766. Subord. Ille- 

 ccbreac (Knotwort 



Family) ; differing 

 from the last main- 

 ly in having sea- 

 rious stipules ; the 

 sepals often united 

 below ; the petals 

 often Avanting or ru- 

 dimentary ; the sta- 

 mens manifestly pe- 

 rigynous ; and the 

 fruit more commonly 

 a one-seeded utricle — Ex. Paronychia and Anychia. Spergula has 

 conspicuous petals, and many-seeded capsules ; and so differs from 

 Alsineae only in its stipules. Insignificant weeds. 



767. Subord. SclcrantheEB {Knawel Family) is like the last, only 

 there are no stipules. — Ex. Scleranthus. 



768. Sllbord. MollUgincSC {Carpet-weed Family) is apetalous with- 

 out stipules, and has the stamens alternate with the sepals when of 

 the same number ; thus effecting a transition to 



769. Ord. PortulacaccCC {Purslane Family). Succulent or fleshy 

 herbs, with entire exstipulate leaves and usually ephemeral flowers. 

 Calyx mostly of two or three sepals, sometimes cohering with the 

 base of the ovary. Petals five, or rarely more numerous, sometimes 

 none. Stamens variable in number, but when equal to the petals 

 situated opposite them. Styles two to eight, united below. Capsule 



FIG. 724. Moehringia lateriflora. 725 A magnified flower. 726. Magnified section of a 

 »eed, showing the embryo coiled into a ring around the albumen. 727. Vertical section ot a 

 pistil of Spergularia. 



