148 LETTER XXXIX. 



while the Amaranths and Goosefoots have no stipules, 

 and the radicle at the base of the seed. At the same 

 time the Buckwheats differ from the Nettles in ha^'ing 

 ochreate stipules, uniform flowers, and triangular seeds ; 

 while the Goosefoots differ from the Amaranths in 

 ha\dng herbaceous, succulent, naked flowers, and in 

 very little else. For this reason some persons would 

 combine the two latter Natural Orders ; but they are 

 recognized as distinct by almost all Botanists. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XL. 



I. The Buckwheat Tribe. — L A piece of Knot-grass (Polygo- 

 num aviculare). — 2. A single leaf with its ochreate stipules, a, which 

 are rent asunder by the expansion of the stem that they surrounded. — 

 3. A flower. — 4. The same split open, shewing seven stamens, arising 

 from a fleshy tube of the calyx. — 5. An ovary cut open, shewing the 

 three stigmas, and the single erect ovule. — 6. A ripe seed-vessel, or nut. 

 invested by the remains of the calyx. — 7. A section of the seed, shew- 

 ing the embryo lying on one side of the mealy albumen. 



n. The Goosefoot Tribe. — 1. A twig of Goosefoot (Cheno- 

 podium album). — 2. A flower before unfolding. — 3. An open calvx, 

 with the stamens and ovary. — 4. An ovary, with the two stigmas. — 5. 

 The same cut open, and shewing the ovule resting on its end. — 6. A 

 seed, with the torn remains of the membranous seed-vessel investing it. 

 — 7, A section of the seed, shewing the curved embryo, and the mealy 

 albumen in its centre. 



