AMAEANTACE^. 187 



forming an elongated narrow spike. Calyx small and 

 bladder-like, its margin toothed. Stamens 1 or 2. — Salt 

 marshes, Atl. Prov. and N.W. 



2. S. muerona'ta, Bigel., has thick spikes and mucron- 

 ate-pointed scales. Stem turning red when old.— Atl. sea- 

 coast. 



SUS'DA, Forskal. Sea Bute. 



S. linea'ris, Moq. [SucedamaritimajGr&j.) (Sea Elite.) 

 A branching fleshy herb, with alternate, roundish, linear 

 leaves. Flowers perfect, sessile in the axils of leafy brac'ts 

 on slender branchlets. Sepals very thick. Stamens 6, with 

 anthers exserted. — Atl. Prov. 



S. SAI'SOIA, L. Saltwort. 

 S. Ka'li, L. (Saltwobt.) Flowers perfect, sessile, with 

 two bractlets, single in axils of leaves. Calyx 5-parted. 

 enclosing the depressed fruit. Stamens 5. A brandhing- 

 plant with alternate, awl-shaped, prickly-pointed leaves. — 

 Sandy sea-shore, and rapidly spreading westward. 



Order LXXVIi. AMARANTA'CE.S;. [Amaranth P.) 



Homely weeds, a good deal like the plants of the last 

 Order, hut the flower-clusterc are interspersed ivith dry and 

 chaff-lilce {sometimes coloured) persistent bracts, usually 3 to 

 each flower. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



1. Aiuaran'tiis. Flowers monoecious or polygamous, all wyii a calyx 



of 3 or 5 distinct erect sepals. 



2. .IMuute'lia. Flowers dicecious ; calyx none ii( tlie pistillate flowers. 



1. AMARAJi'TITS, Tourn. Amaranth. 



1. A. panieula'tUS, L. Reddish flowers in terminal and 

 axillary slender spikes, the bracts awn-pointed. — In the 

 neighbourhood of gardens. 



2. A. retroflex'US, L. (Pigweed.) Flowers greenish, in 

 spikes, forming a stiff panicle. Leaves a dull green, long- 

 petioled, ovate, wavy-margined. Stem erect. — Common in 

 cultivated soil. 



