SOLANALS. 463 
are inserted upon the tube of the corolla, and the anthers open 
from within by two longitudinal clefts. Before the expansion of 
the flower they are straight, but become spirally gyrose after the 
emission of pollen. The pistil is composed of a superior ovary, 
surmounted by a filiform style, divided into two branches, which 
are rounded at the summit. The ovary is uniocular, and encloses 
a parietal placenta, bearing a great number of anatropal ovules. 
The fruit is a capsule opening in two valves, which bear the seeds 
upon their sides. These enclose a very small embryo in a fleshy 
albumen. 
The Gentians (Gentiana) only differ from the preceding in 
_ the secondary characteristics drawn from the shape of the ovary, 
the placenta, and stamens. 
The root of the Yellow Gentian (G. lutea) is employed in medi- 
cine, being the plant which furnishes the Gentian root of the drug- 
gists. It isa native of the Alps and other mountains of Central 
Europe, growing vigorously in calcareous soils, where its numerous 
bright yellow flowers, in bundles and verticles, surprise the 
traveller by their unexpected appearance. 
Most other species of Gentians are now abandoned in medicine ; 
but botanists cherish them for their elegance of form and the 
brilliant colouring of their flowers. We may cite as belonging 
to this family two of the most graceful ornaments of our rivers 
and ponds: the Marsh Trefoil (Menyanthis trifoliata), whose tri- 
foliate leaves and flowers, disposed in spikes, snowy white, rose- 
coloured or purple in their tints, are furnished on the inside 
of their corolla with delicate filaments, rolled up from within, and 
of a dazzling whiteness. Again, there is the Fringed Buckbean 
(Villarsia nymphoides), the elegant rival of the Nuphars; which is 
being introduced into our ornamental waters, where their dark 
green leaves, and white, yellow, or orange-coloured flowers form a 
very graceful ornament. ; 
SoLaNnaLs. 
Perigynous exogens, grouped together by the common cha- 
Tacters of a monopetalous corolla; axile placentw; symmetrical 
flowers ; two and three-celled fruit, with large embryo, surrounded 
with small albumen. Anomalous genera, having no corolla or 
