Humcx.] POLYGON!)^. 221 



seeded, with a single erect ovule : styles and stigmas several. 

 Albumen farinaceous, sometimes almost none. Embryo in- 

 verted, generally on one side. Plumule inconspicuous. Herbs, 

 rarely shrubs, common to almost every part of the world. Leaves 

 alternate, sheathing at the base or adnate, with an intrafoliaceous 

 sheath (ochrea), revolute when young. Flowers sometimes sepa- 

 rated, generally racemose. 



The plants of this Order, generally speaking, possess an acid 

 and astringent principle in their stems and leaves, while the 

 roots are nauseous and purgative. The farinaceous or mealy 

 albumen may be used as food. 



1. RUMEX. Linn. Dock and Sorrel. 



Perianth 6-parted ; the three outer segments somewhat coher- 

 ing at the base; the three inner becoming enlarged after 

 flowering. Stamens 6. Styles 3, reflexed; stigmas 3, cut. 

 Nut with three sharp angles. Embryo on one side. Radicle 

 superior. Name of unknown origin. 



Hexandria. Trigynia. 



HJ Plants not acid. Flowers perfect. (Lapathum Dock.) 



1. R. Ilydrolapathum, Huds. Great Water Dock. En- 

 larged sepals ovato-deltoid, reticulated, each with a tubercle, 

 entire ; leaves lanceolate, the lower ones cordate at the base ; 

 whorls mostly leafless. Br. Fl. I. p. 168. E. Fl. v. ii. p. 195. 

 R. aquaticus, Sm. Fl. Br. p. 394. E. Bot. t. 2104. 



Sides of rivers and lakes. Banks of the Shannon opposite Limerick, 

 and banks of Lough Erne, in ditches. Banks of Lough Neagh ; Mr. 

 Templeton. Fl. July, Aug. If. . The largest of our Docks, from 3 to 

 5 feet high. Some of the lower leaves a foot and a half long. Root 

 large, very astringent. Enlarged sepals, with prominent veins, and 

 large oblong tubercles. 



2. R. crispiiS) Linn. Curled Dock. Enlarged sepals broadly 

 cordate, entire, reticulated ; tubercle on one, large, coloured ; 

 obsolete on the other two ; leaves lanceolate, waved, acute ; 

 upper whorls leafless. Br. Fl. 1. p. 108. E. Fl. v. ii. p. 191. 

 E. Bot. t. 1998. 



Way-sides, near houses and pastures, frequent. Fl. June, July. 

 % . Two or three feet high. Lower leaves the broadest, all waved 

 and crisped at the margins. Whorls of flowers very numerous and 

 crowded. 



3. R. sanguineus, Linn. Bloody-veined Dock. Enlarged 

 sepals (small), oblong, entire, one at least bearing a tubercle ; 

 leaves lanceolate, somewhat cordate ; whorls distant, on long, 

 generally leafless branches. Br. FL 1. p. 169. 



. leaves with bright red veins. R. sanguineus, Linn. E. 

 Bot. t. 1533. E. FL v. ii. p. 190. 



ft. leaves with green veins. R. viridis, Sibth Sm. FL Br, 

 p. 390. R. Nemolapathum, Ehrh. 



