XIV. CRUCIFER^], 221 



lobes ; ovules half-anatropous, one or several on parietal placentas. FEUIT siliquose, 

 many-seeded, 2-valved (Corydalis, Adlumia, Dicentra), or vesicular (Cysticapnos), or 

 1-2-seeded and indehiscent (Fumaria, Sarcocapnos}, or jointed and divided by trans- 

 verse septa into 1-seeded indehiscent cellules (Ceratocapnos, Hypecoum). SEEDS 

 horizontal, hilum usually naked, sometimes strophiolate (Dicentra, Corydalis} ; albu- 

 men fleshy. EMBRYO usually minute, nearly straight, basilar, often only visible at 

 the moment of germination, and having apparently only one oval cotyledon (Cory- 

 dalis). 



GENERA. 



Hypecoum. * Dicentra. Pteridophyllum. * Adlumia. * Corydalis. 



Sarcocapnos. * Fumaria. 



Fumariacece are so closely allied to Papaveracece (see that family), that many modern botanists have 

 united them, for they differ chiefly in the dissimilarity between their inner and outer petals, and in their 

 definite stamens. Like Papaveracece, they approach Crucifercs in their corolla, hypopetalism, parietal 

 placentation, curved ovule, and the structure of the fruit, but differ in their irregular flowers with two 

 sepals, diadelphous stamens, albuminous seed, and minute and basilar embryo. They inhabit the temperate 

 northern hemisphere, and especially the Mediterranean region and North America. Some (Cysticapnos, 

 Phacocapnos) inhabit South Africa ; none have been observed in the hot regions of the tropics. 



Most Fumariacea contain in their herbaceous parts mucilage, saline substances, and a peculiar acid 

 or acrid juice, so combined that they are classed among tonic and alterative medicines. The Common 

 Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) occurs everywhere in corn-fields and on rubbish heaps; its juice is bitter, 

 stomachic, and depurative. The roots of Corydalis bulbosa and fabacea are sub-aromatic, very bitter and 

 slightly astringent, and employed as emmenagogues and vermifuges. The rather bitter and very acrid 

 foliage of (7, capno'ides is a reputed stimulant. 



XIV. CRUCIFER^E. 



(TETRAPETAL^E, Ray. SILIQUOSE, Hagnol. CRUCIFOEMES, Tournefort. TETRAD Y- 

 NAM^E, L. ANTISCORBUTICS, Crantz. CRUCIATE, Holler. CRUCIFERS, Adanson. 

 BRASSICACE^E, Lindl.) 



SEPALS 4. PETALS 4, hypogynous. STAMENS 6, tetradynamous. OVARY sessile, 

 2- (rarely 1-) celled, with 2 parietal placentas. FRUIT a siliqua or silicula, or nut or 

 lomentum. SEEDS exalbuminous. EMBEYO oily, bent, rarely straight. 



Usually HEEBS, rarely suffruticose, with watery juice, often rather acrid; hairs 

 when present simple or stellate, or fixed by the middle, very rarely glandular. 

 STEM cylindric or angular, sometimes spinescent. LEAVES simple, alternate, rarely 

 opposite, entire, lobed or dissected, the radical often runcinate, and the cauline often 

 auricled at the base; stipules generally 0. FLOWERS $ , in a raceme, rarely solitary 

 on a scape ; racemes usually terminal, corymbose when young, rarely bracteate. 

 COROLLA white, yellow, or purplish, rarely blue or pink. SEPALS 4, free, 2-seriate, 

 the 2 outer opposite, antero-posterior, answering to the placentas, the 2 inner 

 lateral, often larger, and gibbous at the base, imbricate in bud, very rarely valvate 

 (Ricofia, Savignya, &c.). PETALS 4, hypogynous, rarely (Armoracia, Lepidium 

 ($ome),Cardamine (some), &c.), arranged crosswise, usually entire, equal, or the outer 



