Linee—Linum. 87 
glands opposite the petals. Cupsule 5-celled, dehiscing septi- 
cidally, cells 2-seeded, or sometimes 10-celled with the cells 1- 
seeded. Albumen thin. About eighty species are distributed 
over the temperate and warm regions of the globe. The Flax 
from which linen is manufactured is the fibre from the stems 
of L. wsitatissimum. 
1. L. grandiflorum (fig. 56).-—This is one of the hand- 
somest annual species, having beautiful crimson flowers. It 
grows about 18 inches high, with slender erect stems. A 
native of North Africa. 
2. L. alpinum.—A pretty dwarf perennial species about 6 
inches high with dark blue flowers. Stems decumbent. Leaves 
short, linear-acute. A European species, flowering in Summer. 
3. L. campanulatum.—Perennial, growing about 18 inches 
high. Leaves broadly lanceolate, glaucous. Flowers large, 
bright yellow. South of Europe. 
4. L. perénne.—A native species. Stems erect, 1 to 2 feet 
high, very slender. Leaves 6 to 8 lines long, narrow, linear- 
lanceolate, acute. Flowers normally blue; but there are 
several varieties, including a pink and a white. One of the 
best, as it is quite hardy. 
L. arbéreum and L. flavum are handsome yellow-flowering 
species. The former is a shrubby evergreen, and rather tender. 
The common Flax is also a very pretty plant. 
Orver XXVI—GERANIACE. 
(Including Oxdlidew, Balsaminece, Tropéolee, and Limndnthee.) 
Herbs, occasionally climbing, undershrubs, shrubs, or rarely 
trees. Leaves opposite or alternate, often bistipulate, rarely 
entire. Flowers often showy, regular or irregular, hermaphro- 
dite, usually sub-umbellate, or solitary and axillary, rarely 
cymose or racemose. Sepals 5, seldom fewer, free, or some- 
times united to the middle, imbricate or valvate, the upper 
one spurred in some genera. Petals 5, or by abortion fewer or 
quite absent, imbricated or contorted. Disk of 5 glands, oppo- 
site the sepals, or eglandular. Stamens usually 10, rarely more 
or fewer. Fruit either capsular, of 3 to 5 1-seeded carpels 
terminating in long slender awns and separating from the 
placentiferous axis with elasticity, or 2- to many-seeded with a 
dorsal loculicidal dehiscence, or consisting of 3 to 5 indchiscent 
indurated cocci separating from the axis, rarely baccate. Seeds 
