38 CARYOPHYLLACE.E. 



Herbs usually diffuse, destitute of stipules ; the leaves 

 opposite, spreading or retiexed, usually plane, sometimes 

 petioled. Flowers peduncled, solitary or c}Tnose. Petals 

 white. 



Etymologt. Name from stella, a star, from the appearance of the 

 spreading petals. 



Geographical Distribcticx. A genus of numerous species, widely 

 distributed over the worid, but (with the exception of SteUaria media, which 

 has accompanied man everywhere) nearly restricted to the temperate and 

 colder regions. 



PLATE 113. Stellaria LONGiroLiA. Muhh ; — a flowering stem. 



1. A flower, enlarged. 



2. A detached petal, more magnified. 



3. A stamen, seen from within, equally magnified. 



4. Magnified vertical section through the ovary, placenta, receptacle, die. 



5. Capsule in the calyx, enlarged. 

 6-8. Stellaria borealis, Bigeloic. 



6. Dehiscent capsule and calyx, enlarged. 



7. A seed, more magnified. 



8. Vertical section of the same, through the embrvo and the albumen. 



