628 CXXXV. PEIMULACE^. 



ovary is one-celled and one-ovuled, the styles are distinct or coherent, and the albumen is farinaceous; btft 

 here again the differences exceed the resemblances. 



Plumhaginece are cosmopolitan plants. Statice inhabits maritime shores and salt lands of the tempe- 

 rate regions of both hemispheres. Armeria is dispersed over both continents ; many species grow on 

 mountains in the arctic and antarctic regions. Plumbago europcea is the only European species of the 

 genus ; the others are tropical and sub-tropical. 



The leaves of Armeria vulgaris and the root of StaUce Limonium, although possessing decided tonic and 

 astringent properties, have fallen into disuse. The root of S. latifolia, a species near Limonium, which has 

 been recently imported from Russia, contains a large quantity of gallic acid, which renders it useful in 

 tanning and for black dyes. The Plumbagos contain a very caustic colouring matter ; the root of the 

 European species contains a fatty substance which gives a leaden colour to fingers and paper, and which 

 was formerly used for toothache, cutaneous diseases and cancerous ulcers; surgeons have given up its use, 

 but beggars make use of it to produce sores, and thus excite pity. Many American and Asiatic species 

 (Plumbago zeylaniea, rosea, scandens) are considered in India to be alexipharmigs. Some others (PL Lar- 

 pentce, ctsrulea, &c ) are cultivated in Europe as ornamental plants. 



CXXXV. PRIMULACE^. 



(Ltsimachije, Jussieu. — Pkimulace^, Ventenat.) 



Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous {or rarely perigynous), isostemonous, oestivation 

 contorted or imbricate, very seldom 0. Stamens op^posite to the corolla-lobes. OvAiiY 

 free, or very rarely inferior, l -celled; placenta central, globose, many-ovuled ; ovules 

 Jived by their ventral face. Fbtjit a capsule. Embryo albuminous. — ^Herbs with 

 radical or opposite leaves. 



Herbs with a woody rMzome, sometimes tuberous, very rarely suffrntescent. 

 Stem generally a subterranean rhizome. Leaves gland-dotted, sometimes all 

 radical, and tufted ; sometimes cauline, opposite or whorled, very rarely alternate, 

 exstipulate. Flowers 5 , regular, very rarely sub-irregular, solitary and radical, 01 

 in scapose umbels, or axillary, and then solitary or racemed in terminal spikes. 

 Caltx tubular, 5-fid or -partite, rarely 4-6-7-fid. Corolla monopetalous, rotate, 

 campanulate, infundibuliform, or sub-2-labiate {Goris), very rarely 3-petaled {Pelle- 

 tiera), or (Glaux). Stamens inserted on the corolla-tube or -throat, opposite to its 

 divisions, often alternating with as many petaloid scales {staminodes) ; filaments fili- 

 form or subulate, usually very short ; anthers introrse, 2-celled, sometimes shorter 

 than the connective, dehiscence longitudinal. Ovart free, or rarely enclosed in the 

 receptacular cupule {Samolus), 1-celled ; placenta central or basilar, free, globose, 

 sessile or stipitate, continuous with the conducting tissue of the style ; style terminal, 

 simple ; stigma undivided ;. ovwiles numerous, peltate, semi-anatropous, or very rarely 

 anatropous {Hottonia, Samolus). Capsule 1-celled, opening at the top, or through- 

 out its length by valves or by entire or bifid teeth, or transversely. Seeds sessile 

 in the pits of the placenta, hilum ventral, rarely basilar. Embeto straight, parallel 

 to the hilum, in the axis of a fleshy or sub-horny albumen ; cotyledons semi-cylin- 

 dric ; radicle vague. 



