213 THE PURSLANE FAMILY. 



several together in stalked racemes, of a pale yeUow ; the corolla broadly 

 campanulate, about half an inch diameter ; the females much smaller, gene- 

 rally 2 together, nearly rotate, vsdth a globular ovary. Berries red or orange, 

 about 4 hnes in diameter, containing several flat, nearly orbicular seeds. 



Common in hedges and thickets, in central and southern Europe to the 

 Caucasus. Occurs in most Enghsh counties, and common in some, but 

 rare in the north and in Wales, and does not extend into Scotland or 

 Ireland. Fl. summer. It must not be confounded with the so-called 

 htack Bryony, which is the common Tamus, a very different plant, with 

 entire, shining leaves. 



{ 



XXIX. THE PUESLANE FAMILY. POIiTULA.CE^. 



More or less succulent herbs, with entire leaves, usually 

 opposite. Sepals 2 or rarely 3. Petals 5 or rarely more, 

 sometimes slightly united. Stamens either equal in number 

 and opposite to the petals, or indefinite. Styles 2 to 8, united 

 at the base. Capsule 1-celled, with a free central placenta, 

 and several seeds, as in the Fink family. 



The family has a very wide geographical range, especially in North and 

 South America, with a few species dispersed over the other quarters of the 

 globe. It is nearly allied to the smaller plants of the Philc family, and to 

 the Paronychia family, but easily known by the calyx. Several species be- 

 longing to the exotic genera Purslane, Calandrinia, and Claytonia are cul- 

 tivated in our gardens, and one species of Claytonia (the C.perfoUata, from 

 Korth America) has been picked up as wild, having strayed into the vici- 

 nity of gardens in some parts of England. 



I. MONTI A. MONTIA. 



Flowers minute, with the 5 petals united into one coroUa, split open in 

 front. Stamens 3. Stigmas 3. Capsule opening in 3 valves, and containing 

 3 seeds. 



The genus consists but of one species. 



1. ^Vater Montia. Montia fontana, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1206. Blinks, or Water Chicktveed.) 



A little, glabrous, green, somewhat succulent annual, forming dense tufts, 

 from 1 to 4 or 5 inches in height, the stems becoming longer and weaker 

 in more watery situations. Leaves opposite or nearly so, obovate or spa- 

 thulate, from 3 to 5 or 6 lines long. Flowers soUtary or in little drooping 

 racemes of 2 or 3, in the axils of the upper leaves ; the petals of a pure white, 

 but very little longer than the calyx. Capsules small and globular. 



On the edges of rUls, and sprmgy, wet places, where tlie water is not 

 stagnant, throughout Europe, in north Russian Asia, in North America, 

 and down the Andes to the southern extremity. In Australia and New 

 Zealand, but not in central Asia. Extends over the whole of Britain. 

 Fl. spring and summer. 



