CARYOPHTLLACE^. 75 



than tho sepals, ovoid-cylindrical, 1-celled, opening at the apex by 

 twice as many teeth as there are styles, and afterwards dividing 

 into as many valves. Seeds numerous, black, rough, reniform- 

 globose, laterally compressed, nearly flat on the back (round which 

 there is a very shallow furrow), and with a short raised band, or 

 keel, near the hilum, indicating the position of the latter. 



Small glaucous annuals, generally glabrous, with the exception 

 of the top of the stem and peduncles, which are pubescent and 

 viscid. Flowers in a terminal simple ximbel, which is surrounded 

 l)y a few bracts. 



Tlie name of tliis genus of jilants appears by all writers to liave arisen in a jnke, 

 and to mean the direct opposite of what it conveys. The plants are peculiarly delicate 

 ami soft ; and yet the name siguifies d\og (Jiolos), all, and uartov (osteon), a bone, — 

 "all bone." 



SPECIES L—HOLOSTEUM UMBELL ATUI,L Lmn. 

 Plate CCXVI. 

 Hdcfu Ic. Fl. Germ, et Ilelv. Vol. V. Caryoph. Tab. CCXXI. Fig. 4001. 



Radical leaves oblanceolate, attenuated at the base. Stem- 

 leaves about 2 pairs, oval or oblong, those of each pair more or 

 less united at the base. Petals longer than the sepals. Seeds 

 granulated, "vnth small rounded tubercles. Plant glabrous, except 

 the top of the stem. 



In dry places, and on walls and thatched roofs. Very rare. 

 On old walls, — such as in St. Paith's Lane, in the northern part 

 of Norwich ; and about Bury, Suffolk. 



England. Annual. Spring. 



Stem dividing into several close to the crown of the root (or in 

 small specimens quite simple), from 1 to 8 inches high. Radical 

 leaves soon withering, variable in breadth, but always attenuated 

 at the base, |^ to 1 inch long; stem-leaves rather remote (especially 

 in the upper part of the stem), generally rather acute, but some- 

 times obtuse. Umbel from 2- to 6-flowered, at first sessile in the 

 upper pair of leaves, afterwards removed from them by the elonga- 

 tion of the stem. Pedicels at first very short, but by the time the 

 fruit is mature about three times the length of the calyx, at first 

 erect, then reflexed, and lastly again erect. As the apjiarent uml)('l 

 is really a contracted cyme, the flowers expand at a considci'able 

 interval, and from this cause the pedicels are unequal in length 

 until they have all attained maturity. Involucral bracts small, 

 oblong-ovate, acute, membranous. Plowers about \ inch across. 

 Sepals oblong-ovate, obtuse, membranous and often purplish at the 



