CLXXVII. NYCTAGINEiE. 625 



3-4-lpbed, with silky edges (Bougueria). Stamens 4, hypogynous and alternate 

 with the corolla-lobes {LittoreMa), or 1-2, inserted on the middle of the corolla-tube 

 (Bougueria). Ovakt rudimentary (Littorella), or obsolete (Bougueria). — ? : Calxx 

 with 3 unequal sepals (bracts ?), the anterior larger [Littorella), or of 4 sub-equal 

 hairy sepals (Bougueria). Corolla urceolate; throat short; limb 3-4-toothed (Litto- 

 rella) or tubular, irregularly 3-4-lobed, with silky edges (Bougueria). Stamens 0. 

 Ovary 1-celled; ovule solitary, campylotropous. Nucule bony. Seed peltate, testa 

 membranous. Embryo straight, in the axis of a fleshy albumen (Littorella), or curved 

 round the albumen (Bougueria). 



GENERA. 

 Plantago. Littorella. Bougueria. 



Plantagineis, although very diiferent in appearance, form a very homogeneous group ; they approach 

 PlumhaginecB in their infloreacen'ce, hypogynous generally isostemonous corolla, and the stamens some- 

 times hypogynous, sometimes inserted on the corolla, as in Statice and Plumhago, and finally in their 

 dry fruit and albuniinous embryo. Plumbaginecs are separated from Plantago by their 1-celled and 1- 

 ovuled ovary, from Plantago and Littorella by their many styles, anatropous ovule pendulous from a basal 

 ascending funicle, and farinaceous albumen, Plantaginece are allied rather closely with Primulaeem by 

 the direction of the ovules, the circumsciss capsule, tho ventral hilum, and the embryo parallel to the 

 hilum, as also with Veronica ; another analogy results from the isolation of the placentiferous septum in 

 Plantago, which, although only occurring at maturity, recalls the placentation of Primulacece. 



As to the different position of the stamens, opposite to the corolla-lobes in Plantaginece and alternate 

 with them in Primulacfce, this is of no account, if it be admitted (with certain authors) that in Plantaginece 

 the scarious and persistent corolla is a calyx, and the calyx an involucel ; in this case the Plantains would 

 be apetaloua, as in Qlawx, and the stamens would alternate with the sepals. 



There is yet another affinity which deserves to be noticed ; it is founded on the alternation of the 

 stamens with the calyx, an alternation which exists, if we admit, with Grisebach, that both these 

 families are apatalous, and regard the corolla of Plumhaginece as a staminal crown, and that of Plantaginecs 

 as a true calyx. 



Plantaginece inhabit the temperate regions of both hemispheres, but principally the northern, and 

 especially Europe and America, ; they are more rare in the tropics, where they only grow on mountains. 

 Many indigenous species of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata, major f media) are employed in medicine ; their 

 leaves are bitter and slightly astringent. An eye-water is distilled from the whole plant. Th^ seeds of 

 Plantago Ps/gllium, arenaria and Bophula contain an abundant mucilage in their testa, whence their use 

 as emollients in inflammatory ophthalmia ; and in Indian manufactures to stiffen muslins. Planjtago 

 Coronopus was considered by the ancients, on account of its toothed leaves, to be efficacious against 

 hydrophobia, and was ranked amongst diuretics. It is cultivated for salad in some countries. 



CLXXVII. NYCTAGINE^, Jussieu. 



Flcwbrs 5 or diclinous. Perianth petaloid or coloured. Stamens hypogynous. 

 Ovary 1-celled, 1-ovuled ; ovule campylotropous, erect. Aohene included in the per- 

 sistent base of the perianth. Albumen /armaceoMS (rarely 0). JjMBBYO curved, rarely 

 straight ; radicle inferior. 



Trees, shrubs or herbs. Stems knotty, fragile, branches often spinescent. 

 Leaves usually opposite (that subtending a branch, peduncle or spine being smaller 

 than its pair), rarely alternate, or scattered, petioled, entire. Flowers 5 , or rarely 



s s 



