1G0 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



GENUS XXXI — C A U C A L I S. Linn. 



Calyx-limb of 5 teeth. Petals obovate, notched, with an infiVxed 

 lobe, the exterior ones generally radiant and bifid. Cremocarp 

 oval-ovoid or oblong-ovoid, slightly laterally compressed ; colu- 

 mella 2-cleft or 2-partite ; mericarpg with 3 primary ridges on the 

 back and 2 on the inner face, hairy or spiny, and 4 secondary 

 ridges, generally more prominent, clothed with usually stronger 

 spines : or sometimes the secondary ridges are obsolete, and the 

 whole of the space between the primary ridges spiny. Involucre 

 none or of few leaves. Albumen of the seed involute or furrowed 

 on the face next the columella. 



Herbs of various habit, with white or pink polygamous flowers, 

 the exterior ones fertile, the interior ones male. 



The name of this genus of plants conies from the two Greek words kiu> (keo), I lie 

 down, and navXos (kaulos), a stem. 



Stjb-Genus I.— EU-CAUCALIS. (Catjcalis, Iloffm.) 



Calyx-limb of 5 lanceolate teeth. Cremocarp slightly laterally 

 compressed ; mericarps with the primary ridges filiform, bristly 

 or with small spines ; secondary ones prominent, bearing a single 

 row of subulate prickles. Involucre absent, or of 1 or 2 linear 

 herbaceous leaves. 



SPECIES I— C A U C A L I S DAUCOIDSS. Linn. 

 Plate DCXVII. 

 Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 78G bis. 



Stem erect, slightly branched, striate, glabrous. Leaves bipin- 

 nate, with the leaflets oblong, pinnatifid ; ultimate segments short, 

 oblong, blunt. Umbels usually of 2 or 3, rarely <1 or 5 rays. 

 Elowers polygamous, fertile ones 2 or 3, subscssile, exterior ; male 

 ones on longer stalks. Involucre generally absent ; involucel of 

 2 or 3 linear acute herbaceous leaves. Cremocarp elliptical-ovoid ; 

 primary ridges with very short spines ; secondary ridges with 

 rather distant broad-based spreading smooth spines, nearly equal- 

 ling the diameter of the fruit, hooked at the apex. 



A weed in corn-fields, particularly in chalky districts. Local, 



