642 



CLXXXIII. PARONYCHIE^. 



basal, solitary, carved, micropyle downwards. FEUIT indehiscent, enveloped in the 

 dry or succulent (Bisella) calyx. SEED ovoid or sub-globose, testa membranous, 

 albumen farinaceous. EM BRYO either coiled into a flat spiral between two layers of 

 albumen, or annular or horse shoe- shaped and surrounding a copious albumen ; 

 cotyledons plano-convex, soin etimes sub-foliaceous ; radicle descending. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 [* Embryo spiral, albumen excentric.'] 



'Basella. 



'Ullucus. 



[* Embryo annular, albumen central.'] 

 Tandonia. Boussingaultia. *Anredera. 



Bassllca are interm ediate between Chenopodiea and Amarantacca ; they somewhat resemble Poriit- 

 lace<e and certain Polygonca in their climbing stem, but they are separated from all these families by their 

 habit, their stem twinin g to the right, their persistent and often winged bracts, sagittate anthers, filaments 

 dilated below, &c . 



Baselleee are natives of America and tropical Asia. Some species of Ba*ctta, which are eaten in 

 China and India, have been introduced into Europe, and there cultivated as potherbs under the name of 

 Red Spinach (B. rubra), and White Spinach (7?. alba) ; the berries of the first yield a fine red but fugitive 

 colour. 



The starchy root of Ullucus tuberosiis, which is used for food in Peru, has been introduced into France, 

 and recommended as a substitute for the Potato. 



CLXXXIII. PARONYCHIE^E, Saint-Hilaire. 



Scleranlhtu. 

 Vertical section of fruit (mag.). 



Anychia dichotoma. 

 Flower. 



Scleranthut annuut. 



Scltranthut. 

 Hardened calyx (mag.). 



