238 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Affinities, &c. Many points of affinity exist with Oxalidaceae, Linaceas, 

 and Balsaminaceae, likewise with Tropaeolaceee, and, less 

 important ones, with Zygophyllaceae. The arrangement Fig. 361. 

 of the carpels round a column, the palmate leaves of 

 some kinds, the monadelphous stamens, and the convo- 

 luted embryo cause a good deal of resemblance to some 

 of the Malvaceae. The peculiar fruit, the stipules, the 

 swollen joints of the stem, and the convoluted embryo 

 separate this Order from the nearest allies. From Malva- 

 ceae it may be distinguished at once by the imbricated 

 aestivation of the calyx. Pelargonium is remarkable for 

 a spur or pouch extending from the base of the calyx and 

 adherent to the peduncle. Most of the plants have 

 aromatic oil contained in glandular hairs, giving a rnusky 

 or other strong odour. 



Distribution. The species are numerous. Geranium 

 and Erodium belong chiefly to the temperate parts of Fruit of Geranium, 

 the Northern Hemisphere. Pelargonium abounds at the w i th th carpo- 

 Cape of Good Hope^ and occurs in Australia. One ph 

 species is found in Asia Minor. 



Qualities and Uses, Astringent and aromatic properties are general. 

 The common weed G. Robertianum had a reputation formerly, and the 

 G. maculafAim, or Alum-root of North America, is a powerful astringent, 

 containing a large amount of tannin. The species of Erodium which 

 emit a musky odour are said to have similar properties. Some have 

 tuberous roots ; that of Pelargonium triste is eaten at the Cape of Good 

 Hope. The species of Pelargonium are remarkable for the beauty of their 

 flowers, which are more or less irregular and spurred, and have great sus- 

 ceptibility of improvement by culture, and a tendency to run into varieties, 

 rendering them established "florist's flowers." Many of them have zones 

 or belts of colour in the leaves. The species of Geranium proper have 

 regular flowers without spurs j others are very fragrant. 



EALSAMINACE^E. BALSAMS. 



Series Disciflorse ; Tribe of Geraniacese, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Annual plants with succulent stems, full of bland watery 

 sap ; flowers hermaphrodite, very irregular; stamens 5, somewhat united ; 

 the fruit mostly bursting elastically when ripe. Embryo straight, apeii- 

 spermic. Radicle superior. Illustrative Genera : Impatiens, L. j Hydro- 

 cera, Blum. 



Affinities, &c. This Order is nearly related to Geraniaceae, and is included 

 in that family by Bentham and Hooker, but may be distinguished by the 

 want of the peculiar carpophore of that Family, and by the much greater 

 irregularity of the flower; the irregular flower also separates it from 

 Oxalidaceae and other allied Orders. This irregular flower does not really 

 depart widely from a symmetrical condition : it is completely 6-merous, 

 except 'in the suppression in Impatiens of the petal opposite the bract 



