L inecz L inum. 8 7 



glands opposite the petals. Capsule 5-celled, dehiscing septi- 

 cidally, cells 2-seeded, or sometimes 10-celled with the cells 1- 

 seeded. Albumen thin. About eighty species are distributed 

 over the temperate and warm regions of the globe. The Flax 

 from which linen is manufactured is the fibre from the stems 

 of L. usitatissimum. 



1. L. grandiflorum (fig. 56). This is one of the hand- 

 somest annual species, having beautiful crimson flowers. It 

 grows about 18 inches high, with slender erect stems. A 

 native of North Africa. 



2. L. alplnum. A pretty dwarf perennial species about 6 

 inches high with dark blue flowers. Stems decumbent. Leaves 

 short, linear-acute. A European species, flowering in Summer. 



3. L. campanulatum. Perennial, growing about 18 inches 

 high. Leaves broadly lanceolate, glaucous. Flowers large, 

 bright yellow. South of Europe. 



4. L. perenne. A native species. Stems erect, 1 to 2 feet 

 high, very slender. Leaves 6 to 8 lines long, narrow, linear- 

 lanceolate, acute. Flowers normally blue ; but there are 

 several varieties, including a pink and a white. One of the 

 best, as it is quite hardy. 



L. arboreum and L. flavum are handsome yellow-flowering 

 species. The former is a shrubby evergreen, and rather tender. 

 The common Flax is also a very pretty plant. 



P 



OKDER XXVI. GERANIACE^I. 

 (Including Oxdlidece, Balsaminece, Tropoeolece, and Limndnthece.) 



Herbs, occasionally climbing, undershrubs, shrubs, or rarely 

 trees. Leaves opposite or alternate, often bistipulate, rarely 

 entire. Flowers often showy, regular or irregular, hermaphro- 

 dite, usually sub-umbellate, or solitary and axillary, rarely 

 cymose or racemose. Sepals 5, seldom fewer, free, or some- 

 times united to the middle, imbricate or valvate, the upper 

 one spurred in some genera. Petals 5, or by abortion fewer or 

 quite absent, imbricated or contorted. Disk of 5 glands, oppo- 

 site the sepals, or eglandular. Stamens usually 10., rarely more 

 or fewer. Fruit either capsular, of 3 to 5 1 -seeded carpels 

 terminating * in long slender awns and separating from the 

 placentiferous axis with elasticity, or 2- to many-seeded with a 

 dorsal loculicidal dehiscence, or consisting of 3 to 5 indehiscent 

 indurated cocci separating from the axis, rarely baccate. Seeds 



