DICGTTLEDONES. 



225 



herbs, with opposite, entire leaves, and swollen joints; 

 symmetrical flowers, four or five parted, with or without 

 petals. Species eight hundred, widely distributed. It is a 

 family of little economic importance; it includes many of 

 our weeds, notably the Corn-cockle (^Lychnis Githago), 



which perceptibly injures the flour when abundant in the 

 wheat. Among the ornamental members may be men- 

 tioned the Carnations and Clove Pinks {Dianthtts), Mul- 

 lein Pink (^Lychnis), Catchfly (Silene), Agrostemma (Fig. 

 333), etc. 



25. Violaceae. The Violet family comprises two 

 hundred and forty herbs and shrubs, with a one-spurred 

 .corolla; many of them are ornamental. The Violets 

 (genus Viola) includes about one-half the species of the 

 whole family. The Sweet Violet ( F. odorata) and Pansy 

 (F. trieohr) are universally admired, and innumerable 

 " varieties" have appeared under cultivation. 



26. Cruciferae. The large Mustard family numbers 



Fig. 333. A cultivated Agrostemma. 



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