178 CAPPARIDACE.E. 



form persistent placentae, as in Cleome. Seeds numerous 

 on both placentas, round-reniform, exalbuminous. Embryo 

 conformed to the seed : cotyledons short, incumbently in- 

 curved ; the radicle superior. 



Herbs minutely viscid-glandular, with annual roots and 

 slender branching stems, bearing alternate and palmately tri- 

 foliolate leaves on short petioles, without stipules, and small 

 flowers (white or yellowish) in leafy racemes. Leaflets 

 linear, entire. 



Etymology. The name is a diminutive of crista, a crest; in allusion to 

 the fringed petals. 



Geographical Distribution, &c. A genus of two species (not yet 

 well discriminated), natives of Northern Texas and the adjacent parts of 

 Arkansas and Louisiana. 



PLATE 77. Cristatella Jamesii, Torr. cj Gray; — the summit of a 

 flowering and fruiting plant, of the natural size ; from Texas, Mr. 

 Wright. 



1. Calyx, laid open, enlarged. 



2. An upper petal, magnified. 



3. A lower petal, magnified. 



4. A magnified flower, with part of the calyx and two petals, &c, cut 



awav, displaying the singular appendage of the torus, &c. 



5. A pod in dehiscence, showing the replum, &c, enlarged. 



6. A seed, magnified. 



7. Section of the same, and of the contained emhryo. 



