EXOGENJE THALAMIFLORJE. 



99 



or elongated. Ovary stalked. Fruit 1-celled, most fre- 

 quently with two polyspermous placentae ; embryo incurved. 



USES. A pungent principle exists in some, as the flower- 

 buds of Capparis spinosa, which are the Capers of shops, and 

 several Cleomes used as substitutes for mustard. This 

 acridity is sometimes so much concentrated as to render the 

 species dangerous. The root of Cratseva gynandra is said to 

 blister like Cantharides, and that of Cleome dodecandra is 

 used as a vermifuge. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Cleome, Capparis. 



Physostemon lanceolatum. 1. A flower of the natural size. 2. The calyx, sta- 

 mens, and ovary. 3. The ripe fruit, with one valve separating. 4. A seed. 5. 

 The same cut vertically, to show the incurved embryo. 



15. Resedacea. Herbaceous plants with alternate leaves, 

 small colourless flowers, and gland-like stipules. Calyx 

 many-parted. Petals lacerated, unequal. Disk large, 1-sided. 

 Stamens definite, inserted into the disk. Ovary sessile, 



H 2 



