FLUVIALES. 223 



and stimulant, are well known. The root is often used as a sto- 

 machic, and as a remedy for the cholic. The flavor is improved 

 by drying. Indigenous to Europe and Asia as well as North 

 America. It was said by Linnaeus to be the u only aromatic 

 plant of northern climates." 



ORDER 258. FLUVIALES. 



Stamens and pistils in the same or different flowers ; perianth 

 of 2 or 4 divisions, sometimes falls oft' early in the flowering ; 

 ovary superior, with the stamens rising from under it ; fruit dry, 

 1 -celled, 1 -seeded ; aquatics, with flowers small and unattractive ; 

 more resemble flowerless plants than any yet mentioned ; leaves 

 very cellular, with parallel veins. The order is named from the 

 habitation of the plants. 



Najas. L. 19. 1. Fluvialis, Persoon. 



Perianth wanting ; flowers with stamens, and others with pistils 

 on the same plant ; style 1 . 



cA". Canadensis. Mx. Water Nymph. The popular name 

 might lead one to expect a plant of some beauty. It is a slender, 

 flexible, rather erect, and immersed aquatic, filiform or thread- 

 like, not very common ; in stagnant waters ; Amherst, Stock- 

 bridge. Caulinia flexilis, W. 



Zostera. L. 19. J. 



Z. marina. L. Grass Wrack. Stern round and flexuous, 

 with roots at the joints, and with long linear leaves ; grows in the 

 muddy waters of the sea-coast, sometimes called Eel-grass. " A 

 common material for packing, and for stuffing cottagers' cushions." 

 Lind. 



Chara. L. 19. 1. 



Origin of this name unknown, as well as the plant to which 

 Caesar applied it. Loudon. The plants have a rather beau- 

 tiful appearance as they wave about under water. 



Perianth none, flowers very minute ; anther sessile and globose, 



