436 



NATURAL HISTORY OP PLANTS. 



and more open receptacle, from four to seven thick triangular and 

 valvate sepals, an equal number of petals, very numerous stamens, 

 and an ovary with 4-8 multiovulate cells. The capsular fruit sup- 

 ported by the receptacular cupule, is loculicidal and polyspermous. 

 The seeds are small, scobiform, curved and irregularly winged. 

 Lawsonia may be considered a reduced type of the preceding genera. 

 The small flowers (fig. 407-409) have only four parts, a diploste- 



L"gersti(emia indiea. 



Fig. 405. Flower. Fig. 406. Long. sect, of flower. 



monous andrcecium, and four multiovulate cells in the ovary. But 

 the receptacular cupule encircles only the base of the coriaceous 

 capsule, which finally breaks in an irregular manner. In the flower 



Lawsonia inermis. 



Fig. 407. Flower. 



Fig. 408. Floral receptacle. Fig. 409. Long sect, of flower. 



this cupule is lined by a glandular disk, which thickens, near the 

 throat, to four slightly salient glands, corresponding in pairs to the 

 sepals, interior to the insertion of the staminal filaments, and four 

 others, a little higher, situate within the petals. The fruit is poly- 

 spermous, and the seeds, irregularly pyramidal, have a thick spongy 

 exterior coat, not prolonged to a wing. The only species known 

 (i. inermis) is a glabrous shrub, with branches often spinous, 



