MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 437 



stamens 2-3-6; ovary 1 -celled ; ovule erect; 

 stigma sessile, rather oblique ; fruit fleshy 

 indehiscent, 1 -celled, 1 -seeded ; embryo in a 

 fleshy vitellus. Inhabit chiefly tropical Ame- 

 rica and the Indian Archipelago. Among 

 the products are long, black, and white Pep- 

 pers, Cubebs, Matico, and Betel-Pepper. 



II. ORDER.— Chenopodals (Clienopodales). 



Flowers monochlamydeous ; carpels solitary, or 

 if more than one, distinct ; placentae free, central ; 

 embryo external, either curved round, or applied to 

 the surface of a little mealy or horny albumen, 



1. Family. — Goose-foots (Chenopodiacese). Herbs 



or under-shrubs ; leaves mostly alternate, 

 exstipulate ; flowers small, sometimes uni- 

 sexual ; perianth deeply divided ; aestivation 

 imbricated ; stamens opposite segments of 

 perianth; anthers 2-celled ; ovary 1 -celled ; 

 style 2-4-divided; stigmas simple; fruit 

 membranous, indehiscent, sometimes baccate. 

 Common in waste districts, more abundant 

 in extra-tropical countries. Comprise Spin- 

 age, Beet, Mangold- Wurzel, &c. 



2. Family. — Amaranths (Amaranthacese). Herbs 



or shrubs ; leaves opposite or alternate, ex- 

 stipulate ; flowers in spikes or heads, mostly 

 bisexual ; perianth 3-5-partite, scarious, 

 buried in imbricated bracts ; stamens distinct 

 or monadelphous ; anthers usually 1 -celled ; 

 ovary unilocular; style 1 or 0; stigma 



