264 



XXIX. ELATINE.E. 



Tatnariscinece are near CaryophyUeee, Portulacecc, and Frankeniacece, which are separated principally 

 by the structure of their ovules and their floury albumen ; they further differ from Caryophyllete and 

 Frankmiaceee in their alternate and fleshy leaves, from Portulacece in habit, insertion, &c. They have also 

 some affinity with Crassulacea;. 



Tamariscinea (proper) are confined to the Old World, where they extend from Sf to 55 of north 

 latitude. They prefer sea-shores, the margins^ of brackish lakes, the banks of rivers and torrents, in 

 sandy or clayey soils. [ Iteauinuriea; extend from the Levant to Central Asia ; Fmiquiera is a Mexican 

 shrub. ED.] 



Tamariscinea contain tannin, resin and a volatile oil, which render them bitter and astringent. The 

 bark of Myricaria yermantca is employed in Germany for jaundice ; that of Tatnarix gattica is aperient. 

 T. tnannifera, which grows on Mount Sinai and elsewhere in Arabia, secretes, as the result of the 

 puncture of a Cynips, a eaccliHrine matter, supposed by some to be the manna which fed the Hebrews 

 in the desert. The galls of other species (also produced by the puncture of an insect) are valued for 

 their strongly astringent properties. 



XXIX. ELATINE^E. 



, Camlessedcs. ELATINACE^E, Lindl.} 



SEPALS 2-5. PETALS 2-5, hypogynous, imbricate. STAMENS equal or double the 

 number of the petah, hypoyynous. OVARY 3-5-cellcd. OVULES anatropous. FRUIT a 

 capsule. SEEDS exalbuminous. LEAVES opposite or fascicled, stipulate. 



Elatine htxamlra. 

 Expanded flower (mag.)- 



Elatine triandra. 

 Seed, entire and cut 

 vertically (mag.). 



Elatine hexandra. 

 I 



Elatine octaiulni. 

 . Diagram. 



Elatine octandra. 

 Flower (mag.). 



Elatine hexandra. 

 Flower, leaves, and stipules (mag.). 



