472 PRIMROSE TRIBE. OLIVE TRIBE. 



that there is a whorl deficient. This whorl is distinguishable in 

 the genus Samolus, or Water Pimpernel (. 465). The ovarium 

 consists of but one cell, the placenta being central, and the par- 

 titions not being developed ; it contains a large number of 

 ovules. The style and stigma are single. 



646. The great uniformity of these characters occasions the 

 largest part of the order to be included in the Linnaean class and 

 order PENTANDRIA Monogynia; and here we meet with several 

 genera well known in Britain. Besides the Primrose, Cowslip, 

 Oxlip, and Polyanthus, which, it is said, may all grow from 

 the same root, or be raised from the seeds of the same flower, 

 thus showing them to be .altered forms of the same species, 

 there is the Anagallis or Pimpernel, commonly termed the Poor- 

 man's weather-glass, from its property of closing on the approach 

 of a storm, the Lysimachia, or Loose-strife, inhabiting moist 

 places, and the Cyclamen, or Sow-bread, so named because its 

 tuberous roots, notwithstanding their very acrid character, are 

 eagerly devoured by swine. This last plant is abundant in 

 Sicily, and is the chief food of the wild-boars of the island. The 

 group is extensively diffused over the globe, but is most abundant 

 in northern and in mountainous countries ; it is only cultivated 

 for ornament, as it does not possess any properties which make 

 it otherwise useful to man. It is interesting to remark that the 

 genus Samolus, having the perianth adherent to the ovary 

 (which is consequently half-inferior}, is an aberrant form (. 503) 

 of the order, which leads us back into the preceding group. 

 The difference is considered one of such importance, that, if it 

 were presented by a greater number of Plants (of the Sa- 

 molus only two species are known), they would be formed 

 into a separate order. 



647. The next order to be mentioned is one of more direct 

 utility to man; this is the order OLEACE.E or Olive tribe, of 

 which some species inhabit England, although it is found most 

 abundantly in the South of Europe. Instead of being humble 

 and insignificant plants, the members of this order are always 

 cither trees or shrubs, and sometimes attain considerable size 

 and beauty ; such are the Ash and the Lilac. One of the 



