CLASS VIII. ORDER I. ^55 



A plant seldom exceeding half a foot in height, having its 

 leaves chiefly in a tuft or whorl at the top, virith one or more 

 white star-like blossoms above. Leaves lanceolate, minutely- 

 serrate, shining, acuminate, pointed. Flowers on filiform pedun- 

 cles. The number of stamens and divisions of the calyx and 

 corolla is commonly seven, but often varies to six or eight ; 

 segments of the calyx linear. Petals ovate, acuminate. — In low 

 woods, particularly among the pine trees on Craigie's road. — 

 May, June. — Perennial. 



On comparison of specimens I am satisfied that the American 

 species is distinct from the European in having the leaves 

 minutely serrulate, and the petals acuminate ; though these 

 marks are not noticed by Pursh. 



Class VIII. OCTANDRIA. Eight stmnens. 

 Order I. MONOGYNIA. One style. 



172. Epilobium. Calyx four cleft, tubular, su- 

 perior; corolla four petalled ; capsule oblong; seeds 

 feathered. 



173. CEnothera. Calyx four cleft, tubular, supe- 

 rior; corolla four petalled ; capsule four celled, four 

 valved ; seeds naked. 



174. Rhexia. Calyx four cleft, inferior; corolla 

 four petalled; anthers curved; capsule four celled, 

 in the body of the calyx. 



17.5. Menziesia. Calyx one leaved; corolla mo- 

 nopetalous, ovate; filaments inserted in the receptacle; 

 capstile four celled, divided by the inflexed edge of the 

 valves; seeds numerotis. 



. 176. DiRCA. Calyx none ; corolla tubular, the bor- 

 der obsolete; stanriens longer than the tube; berry 

 one seeded. 



177. Vaccinium. Calyx superior, four toothed ; 



