218 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Distribution. A group consisting of two genera, one with several, the 

 other with very few species. The plants are natives of the northern 

 hemisphere of the Old World, growing chiefly by the sea-shore, or on the 

 margins of rivers or lakes. 



Qualities and Uses. The bark is bitter and astringent; and those kinds 

 growing near the sea yield abundance of soda when burnt. Tamarix 

 mannifera yields the Manna of Mount Sinai, a kind of mucilaginous 

 sugar, said to be exuded in consequence of the attacks of a Coccus-insect. 

 Several species are attacked by gall-insects ; and the galls of T. indica, 

 dioica, Furas, and orientalis are used in medicine and for dyeing. Tamarix 

 gallica flourishes well near the sea on our coasts, and is an ornamental 

 shrub. Myricaria germanica is a handsome shrub in our gardens. 



CAEYOPHYLLACE^E. THE PETC ORDER. 



Coli. Caryophyllinae, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Herbs with opposite entire leaves ; stems swollen 

 at the joints ; flowers symmetrical, 4-5-merous, with or without 

 petals ; stamens distinct, not more than twice as many as the sepals, 

 hypogynous or perigynous ; styles 2-5 ; seeds attached to the base 

 or to the central placenta of the 1 -celled (rarely 3-5-celled) cap- 

 sule; embryo curved round the mealy perisperni.' 



Character. 

 Calyx : sepals 4 or 5, persistent, distinct or co- 



Thalamus flat. 



herent into a tube. 



Corolla : petals 4 or 5, clawed, often deeply 



Fig. 356. 



Fig. 354. 



Fig. 357. 



Fig. 854. Capful ft of Cerastium, burst. 



Fig. 355. Section of seed of Lychnis: a, endosperm; b, embryo. 



Fig. 356. Dichasial cyme of Cerastium. 



Fig. 357. Section of a flower of Silene, with an iuternode between the calyx and corolla. 



