22 CARYOPHYLLACE^. 



Fkuit a membranaceous utricle inclosed in the persistent 

 connivent calyx. Seed globular, oblong or lenticular, as- 

 cending, or more commonly more or less resupinate-pendulous. 

 Embryo coiled into a complete or incomplete ring around the 

 farinaceous albumen : the radicle ascending, or when the 

 resupination is complete, superior, occupying the side next 

 the free funiculus. 



Herbs low and diffuse, usually caespitose ; the flowering 

 stems dichotomous or cymose. Leaves opposite, various in 

 form ; the interfoliaceous stipules separate or united, silvery- 

 scarious, usually large and conspicuous, the uppermost sur- 

 rounding the flowers like bracts. Flowers small, crowded 

 in glomerate or rarely somewhat open cymes. 



Etymology. Ilapawxia, an ancient name for a whitlow, and for an herb 

 thought to cure it. 



Geographical Distribution. Natives of the warmer parts of the tem- 

 perate zone of the northern hemisphere ; the greater part belonging to the 

 Mediterranean region. Seven species are known in the Southern United 

 States and the dry region towards the Rocky Mountains. One of them ex- 

 lends northward to the Saskatchawan, lat. 53°. Another (here figured), 

 which belongs to the Southern Alleghany Mountains, has recently been de- 

 tected on the White Mountains of New Hampshire. 



PLATE 105. Paronychia argyrocoma, Nutt.; — a branch in flower, 

 drawn from a plant brought from the White Mountains of New 

 Hampshire, by the late Mr. Oakes. 



1. An expanded flower, magnified. 



2. Calyx laid open, showing the stamens, very short petals, &c. 



3. A stamen, more magnified, outside view. 



4. The same, seen from within. 



5. Pistil from which the calyx (2.) is cut away, more magnified. 



6. Vertical section of its ovary, &c., showing the nearly erect ovule. 



7. Ovule detached and more magnified. 



8. Magnified utricle with the fructiferous calyx ; the latter laid open. 



9. Detached seed (in the same position as in the utricle) , more enlarged. 



10. Vertical section of the same, through the embryo and albumen. 



11. Embryo of the same, detached, and somewhat straightened. 



