ONAGEACE^ — HALOEAGEACE^ — LOASACE^. 493 



4 (fig. 433 I, p. 245), sometimes 2, 3, or 6 divisions (fig. 630, p. 364), 

 which cohere in various ways ; aestivation valvate. Petals usually 

 equal in number to the calycine segments, regular (rarely irregular), 

 inserted into the tube of the calyx (fig. 433 ■p, p. 245) ; aestivation 

 twisted. Stamens usually 4 or 8 (rarely 1 or 2, fig. 630, p. 364), 

 epigynous (fig. 433 e, p. 245); filaments distinct; pollen triangular, 

 usually cohering by threads (fig. 396, p. 252). Ovary 2-4-celled 

 (fig. 630, p. 364), adherent (fig. 433 o,. p. 245), usually with an 

 epigynous disk ; style filiform ; stigma capitate (fig. 433 s, p. 245) or 

 4-lobed ; ovules (figs. 418 o, p. 239 ; 433 g, p. 245) indefinite, rarely 

 definite, anatropal. Fruit succulent or capsular, dehiscent or inde- 

 hiscent, 1 -2-4-celled. Seeds usually oo , exalbuminous ; embryo 

 straight, with a long slender radicle pointing to the hilum, and short 

 cotyledons (figs. 530, p. 296 ; 584, 585, 586, p. 331).— Herbs or 

 shrubs, with alternate or opposite, simple, not dotted leaves, and with 

 the parts of the flower usually tetramerous. They inhabit chiefly 

 temperate regions, and are found abundantly in Europe, Asia, and 

 America, and sparingly in Africa. Some yield edible fruits, as 

 Fuchsia, others furnish edible roots, as CEnothera biennis. Many of 

 them have mucilaginous properties, while a few are astringent. Trapa 

 has unequal cotyledons. T. 'natans, Water Chestnut, and T. bicornis, 

 remarkable for its horned fruit, both supply edible seeds. There are 

 about 22 known genera, and upwards of 300 species. Examples — 

 CEnothera, Epilobium, Jussisea, Montinia, Fuchsia, Oircsea, Gaura, 

 Tra]pa. 



Order 76. — Haioeageace^, the Mare's-Tail Family. (Polypet. 

 Epigyn.) Calyx with a minute limb, which is either 3-4-divided, or 

 entire ; it is sometimes reduced to a mere rim. Petals epigynous or 

 0. Stamens epigynous, equal in number to the petals, or twice as 

 many, rarely fewer ; when the petals are wanting, stamens often 1 or 

 2. Ovary cohering with the tube of the calyx, with 1 or more cells, 

 sometimes tetragonal or compressed. Style 0, what is frequently 

 called the styles being the papillose stigmas, which are equal in number 

 to the cells; ovules pendulous, anatropal. Fruit dry, indehiscent, 

 membranous or bony, with 1 or more cells. Seed solitary or in pairs, 

 pendulous ; albumen fleshy or thin ; embryo straight, or slightly curved, 

 in the axis of the albumen ; cotyledons minute ; radicle superior, long. 

 — Herbs or undershrubs, often aquatic, with large air cavities, having 

 alternate, opposite, or whorled leaves, and axillary, sessile flowers, 

 which are occasionally unisexual, They are found in ditches and lakes 

 in various parts of the world. They have no properties of importance. 

 There are 9 known genera and about 80 species. Examples — Hip- 

 puris, Myriophyllum, Haloragis, Oallitriche, Grunnera, 



Order 77. — LoASAOBiE, the Chili-Nettle Family. {Polypet. Epigyn) 

 Calyx 4-5-parted, persistent, spreading in aestivation. Petals 5, 



