Ids CRUCIFER.dE. 



ascending radicle, or rarely (in Cynocardamum) broader, 

 contrary to the partition, and accumbent. 



Herbs, rarely suffruticose ; with branching stems and 

 ebracteate racemes of very small white flowers, which are 

 sometimes apetalons. Leaves entire, toothed, incised, or 

 variously pinnately dissected ; the cauline sessile or clasping. 



Etymology. From Xcrrihtov, a Utile scale, alluding- lo the small and flsft 

 scale-like pud. 



Geographical Distribution, &c. A genus widely diffused over the 

 world, especially in the warmer portions of the northern temperate zone. In 

 the Old World the focus of the genus is in the eastern Mediterranean region : 

 in the New, in California. Within the proper United States, we have only 

 L. Virginicum, which is, perhaps, indigenous at the South, hut at the North 

 apparently naturalized, as it is in widely remote parts of the world ; and L. 

 ruderale, which is sparingly found on our northern frontier. 



PLATE 73. Lepidium (Cynocardamum, Webb <-f- Berthel.) Virginicum, 

 Linn. ; — summit of a stem in flower and fruit. 



1. A magnified flower (diandrous). 



2. A petal, more magnified. 



3. A stamen, equally magnified. 



4. Pistil, magnified ; and 5, section of the same, showing the ovules, 

 (i. Silicle, enlarged, one valve separated. 



7. Transverse section of the magnified seed, showing the accumhent co- 



tyledons. 



8. Enlarged silicle of Lepidium ruderale, Linn. ; from British America. 



9. Same, with one valve separated. 



10. Ti msvi i e section of the magnified seed, showing ll"' incumbent coty- 

 ledons. 



