Dartonia ornata. 31 



ous at the base, striae five to seven, corresponding in number with 

 tiic valves of the capsule; distinct stigma none. Capsule cylindric- 

 oblong, one-celled, terminated by the persistent calix; summit flat 

 and orbicular, valvular, valves live to seven, opening from the cen- 

 tre; receptacle parietal, placentulae five to seven, succulent, two rows 

 of seeds in each. Seeds numerous, flat, subovate, nearly immargin- 

 ate; cmbryon straight, surrounded by a thin carnose perisperm; eoty- 

 ledoncs two, flat, white; radicle umbilical, inferior, exserted, plumule 

 inconspicuous. Hab. On the banks of the Missouri in broken argilla- 

 ceous soils. Flowering from the latter end of August through Sep- 

 tember, and into October, but never in July. Null. 



The genus Bartonia was named by Pursh and Nuttall in honour of 

 Dr. Benjamin Smith Barton, a man who contributed greatly to the 

 scientific character of our country, and to whom American Botany. 

 particularly, is under immeasurable obligations for its early cultiva- 

 tion and advancement. 



The type of the genus, the very curious and elegant species here 

 figured, was discovered on the White Bluffs, near Maha Village, by 

 the late M. Lewis, Esq. in 1804. A second species of Bartonia. B. 

 nuda, is described by Pursh in Sims's Botanical Magazine, in which 

 the germ is naked and the seeds winged. This species Mr. Nuttall 

 found on the banks of the Missouri. It is biennial likewise, has smaller 



vol. III. 9 



