440 SANTALACEiE. [EuphorUa. 



I. EuPHOEPiA, Linn. Spurge. 



Dioecious or moncecious. — Barren flowers : — Perianth single, 

 tripartite. Stamens 9 — 12, without any rudiment of an ovary ; 

 anthers of 2 globose lobes. — Fertile floivers : — Perianth single, tri- 

 partite. Filaments 2 — 3, without anthers. Styles 3, simple. 

 Capsule 8-celled ; cells 1-seeded, bursting at the back. 



The capsules of this genus, when ripe and kept in a warm dry atmosphere, con- 

 tinue for many days to discharge the seed elastically to a considerable distance, 

 bursting to pieces irregularly, with a sharp crackling noise, like so many little 

 shells. The same may also be observed in Mercurialis, a genus closely allied to 

 the present, and in others of the same natural family. 



A. Leaves furnished with stipules. Stems prostrate. Involucres solitary , axillary 



or in the forks of the branches. 



1. E. Peplis, L. Purple Spurge. Br. Fl. p. 366. E. B. t. 



2002. 



On sandy sea-shores ; very rare. i^/. July — September. ©. 



In Sandown bay, J. S. Mill, Esq. ! 



The only specimen gathered by Mr. Mill in the above locality, the most 

 easterly station yet recorded for this rare species in Britain, has been kindly pre- 

 sented to me by that gentleman (together with examples of Cladium Mariscus, 

 also discovered by him in this island some years ago). The Rev. G. E. Smith 

 also believes he fonnerly gathered this species in the above locality. 



"Remarkable for its procumbent stems of a glaucous hue much tinged with 

 purple and stipuled leaves." — Br. Fl. 



B. Leaves without stipules. Stems erect or ascending, the flowering ones umbellate 



above. 



a. Leaves scattered or alternate. 



* Glands of the involucre rounded. 



2. ^. helioscopia, L. Sun Spurge. Wartwort. "Umbel of 5 

 principal 8 -fid and bifid branches, bracteas and leaves membrana- 

 ceous obovato-cuneate serrated upwards, capsule glabrous, seeds 

 reticulated and pitted."— -Br. Fl. p. 366. E. B. t. 883. 



In waste and cultivated ground, cornfields, neglected gardens, &e. ; a common 

 weed. /V.July — October (occasionally in spring). 0. 



The present as well as the following species are frequent in cultivated places in 

 Canada and the northern parts of the United States. I have noticed them about 

 Quebec and Montreal. 



3. E. platyphylla, L. Broad-leaved Warty Spurge. " Umbel 

 of about 5 principal 3-fid and bifid branches, bracteas cordate, 

 leaves membranaceous broadly obovato-lanceolate acute finely 

 serrulate, glands of the involucre (yellow) oval, capsule warted, 

 seeds smooth (brownish)." — Br. Fl. p. 867. E. stricta, L. : E.B. 

 t. 383 (starved specimens). Jacquin, Ic. Plant. Ear. Fl. Aust. iv. 

 t. 376 (descr. prsestantissima). 



In cornfields, waste and cultivated ground, and by roadsides ; not uncommonly. 

 Fl. June — October. . 



E. Med. — Rather frequent about Ryde, as near Fishbourne, and by the footpath 

 in the field betwixt Quart copse and the farm. Amongst the wheat in afield 



