312 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



hypogynous, unguiculate, rarely wanting; cestivation twisted. 

 Stamens double the number of the petals and sepals, arranged 

 in two rows alternating with each other, the inner row longer 

 than the outer and opposite to the petals, commonly somewhat 

 monadelphous ; anthers 2- celled, innate. Disc none. Ovary 

 superior, 3 — 5-celled, with as many distinct styles as there are 

 cells; stigmas capitate or somewhat bifid, i^j'uii usually cap- 

 sular and 3 — 5-celled and 5 — 10-valved, occasionally drupaceous 

 and indehiscent ; placentas axile. Seeds few ; sometimes pro- 

 vided with a fleshy integument, which bursts with elasticity 

 when the fruit is ripe, and expels the seeds ; embryo straight, in 

 cartilaginous fleshy albumen ; radicle long, and turned towards 

 thehilum; cotyledons &a.t. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs, or rarely shrubs or trees, usually with 



Fig. 1081. 



Fig. 1082. 



Fig. 1083. 



Fiff. 1081. Diagram of the flower of Oxalis. Fig. 1082. Vertical section of 



tlie flower of the same. Fig. 1083. Vertical section of the seed. 



compound exstipulate leaves. Stems continuous and not sepa- 

 rable at the nodes. Flowers hypogynous, regular, symmetrical. 

 Sepals, petals, and stamens with a quinary distribution ; the 

 sepals persistent and imbricate ; the petals twisted in aestivation ; 

 the stamens commonly somewhat monadelphous, with 2-celled 

 innate anthers. Disc absent. Styles filiform, distinct. Fruit 

 3 — 5-celled, without a beak. Seeds few, with abundant albumen, 

 a straight embryo, long radicle turned towards the hilum, and 

 flat cotj'ledons. This order is closely allied to the Geraniacece, 

 to ivhicU it is referred by Bentham and Sooner. 



Distrihution and Numbers. — These plants are generally dis- 

 tributed throughout both the hot and temperate regions of the 

 globe ; the shrubby species are, however, confined to the former. 

 They are most abundant at the C^ape of Good Hope and in 



