70 Caryophy lea—Silene. 
Capsule 6-valved at the top. Seeds numerous, rough on the 
surface ; embryo curved. Nearly all the species are from the 
northern hemisphere, and especially abundant in the Mediter- 
ranean region. So named from the Greek oiadop, saliva, many 
species being covered with a viscid excretion, which is suffi- 
ciently adhesive in some to hold small insects; hence the 
English name Catchfly. 
1. S. drméria.An erect annual with unbranched viscid 
stems about 18 inches high, and glaucous smooth leaves. 
Flowers small, in dense terminal cymes, bright rosy carmine. 
A very pretty plant when grown in tufts. There are dull- 
coloured varieties and one quite white. This is occasionally 
met with in this country on old walls, &e. 
2. S. compacta (fig. 47).—A similar but much prettier 
Fig. 47, Silene compacta. (4 nat. size.) Fig. 48. Silene pendula. (4 nat. size.) 
species from Southern Russia and the Caucasus. The flowers 
are of the samc colour as in the preceding, but larger. It is, 
however, a tender and delicate plant requiring a dry sheltered 
position. 
