148 



DE CANDOLLE'S SYSTEM. 



annular. Ovary 1 -celled, with 2 double placentae ; stigma 

 2-lobed. Fruit capsular and siliquose, or succulent, many- 

 seeded. Seeds minute, often with tails ; albumen absent. 



USES. Unknown. 



TYPICAL GENERA. ^Eschynanthus, Streptocarpus. 



109. Gentianaceee. Herbaceous plants. Leaves opposite, 

 entire, without stipules, usually 3-5-ribbed. Flowers showy. 

 Calyx inferior, permanent. Corolla regular, with an imbri- 

 cated, twisted, or plaited aestivation. Stamens inserted upon 

 the corolla, some of them occasionally abortive. Ovary 1- 

 celled ; stigmas 1 or 2. Capsule or berry many-seeded ; the 

 margins of the valves turned inwards. Embryo in the axis of 

 soft albumen. 



USES. All the species are more or less bitter ; many in- 

 tensely so. The Gentian root of the shops is obtained from 

 Gentiana lutea chiefly ; the leaves and stems of Agathotes 

 Chirayta furnish the Gentian of India. Menyanthes trifoliata 

 is the Buck-bean, employed advantageously as a tonic. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Erythrsea, Gentiana, Chironia. 



Gentiana amarella. 1. Section of the ovary of Chironia baccifera. 2. Section of 

 the ripe fruit. 3. A seed. 4. A vertical section of it. 



. Polemoniacea. Herbaceous plants. Leaves oppo- 

 site. Calyx inferior, 5-parted. Corolla regular, 5-lobed. 



