620 



CXXXI. VACCINIE^. 



CoEOLLA polypetalous or sub-polypetalous, hypogynous, diplostemonous, aestivation 

 imbricate. Stamens 10, not adhering to the petals ; antheks usually 2-celled, opening 

 hy 2 pores, or hy a transverse slit. Ovaex 8-b-eelled. Capsule loculicidal. Seeds 

 minute. Embbto undivided, minute. 



Perennial heebs, sometimes sab-woody at the base, rarely woody. Leaves 

 scattered or snb-whorled, exstipnlate. Flowees S , regular, in a raceme or nmbel, 

 or solitary, white or pinkish. Calyx 6-partite, persistent. Corolla of 5 petals 

 inserted on the receptacle, sestivation imbricate. Stamens 10, hypogynous, all 

 fertile and distinct, or monadelphous at the base, 6 fertile and 6 without anthers 

 (Galax) ; anthers introrse, 2-celled, opening at the top by 2 pores or by an oblique 

 slit ; or'1-celled, opening by 2 transverse valves. Ovaet free, seated on a hypogy- 

 nous disk, 3-5-celled ; style terminal ; stigma capitate, girt with a membranous 

 ring ; [ovules very numerous, on placentas projecting from the inner angle of the 

 cells, anatropous]. Capsule 3-5-celled, loculicidal, valves semi-septiferous, placentas 

 fungoid.. Seeds numerous, minute; testa loose, much larger than the nucleus. 



Embeto minute, undivided. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 



Pyrola. 



Ohimaphila. 



The small family of Pyrolacea has been separated from M-icinees, from which it scarcely differs, save 

 in the structure of the seed. We have indicated the close affinity connecting it with Monotropeee (see 

 this family), which may he looked upon as parasitical Pyrolacem. 



Pyrolacece inhabit the temperate and cool regions of the northern hemisphere. They owe .their 

 medicinal properties to bitter and resinous principles. ChiniapMla umhellata is recommended in America 

 as stimulatmg the functions of the kidneys and skin. P. rotundifolia was formerly employed in Europe 

 as an astringent in dysenteric flux and haemorrhage. 



CXXXI. VACCINIEJE. 



(EeicaEUM genera, Jwssiew.— VaooinIE^, D.C.—YACcmtAG&M, Lindt,) 



CoEOLLA monopetalous, epigynous, diplostemonous, cestivation imhrieate, STAMfiifS- 

 epigynous ; anthees of 2 bipartite cells, opening by 2 pores at the top. Ovary 



