Salicornia. | LXII, CHENOPODIACEA. 371 
unisexual. Perianth single, calyx-like, deeply divided into 5, 
or in some flowers fewer segments. Stamens 5, opposite the 
perianth-segments, rarely fewer. Ovary free, with a single 
ovule. Styles 2 or 3, either free or united at the base. Fruit 
consisting of a single seed, enveloped in a very thin or some- 
times succulent pericarp, and enclosed in the persistent peri- 
anth, which is sometimes enlarged or altered in form. Seed 
usually orbicular and flattened ; the embryo curved or spirally 
twisted, with or without albumen. 
The Order is spread over the greater part of the world, and is rather 
numerous in species, especially in maritime situations, or within the 
influence of a saline soil or atmosphere, where they sometimes, in 
combination with Artemisius, give a general grey aspect to the country. 
They are not easily confounded with any other British Order, but 
approach very near to Amarantaceew, an exotic family, chiefly distin- 
guished by the presence of 2 or 3 small bracts under each flower, and 
-by the tendency of the perianth to become scarious or coloured. 
Stem succulent and jointed, without leaves. Stamenslor2 . 1. SALICORNIA. 
Stem leafy, not jointed. Stamens 5. 
Leaves narrow, semi-cylindrical (as thick as broad). 
Leaves rather succulent and linear, not prickly. pene 
perianth not altered . 2. SUADA. 
Leaves prickly. ae perianth encircled iP a scarious 
wing : ; : : 3. SALSOLA. 
Leaves flat. 
Perianth mostly 5-cleft and regular, even when in fruit. 
Fruiting perianth succulent, enlarged, with prominent 
ribs or protuberances . : oy On BETA. 
Fruiting perianth scarcely enlarged, herbaceous 4. CHENOPODIUM. 
Perianth of the male flowers 5- cleft and regular. Fruiting 
perianth (from female flowers) flat, consisting of 2 
much enlarged segments . , : : : . 6. ATRIPLEX. 
The Spinach of our gardens (Spinacia Somilbeat\ probably from western 
Asia, forms a genus closely allied to Atriplex, but with a differently 
shaped fruiting perianth, and 4 styles. One or two species of Amarantus 
belonging to the above-mentioned Amarantacee have occasionally 
appeared amongst garden weeds in the neighbourhood of London, but 
do not appear to have anywhere established themselves in Britain. The 
Amarantacee include also the Love-lies-bleeding and Princes-feather (both 
species of Amarantus), the globe Amaranth (a species of Gomphrena), the 
Cock’ s-comb (Celosia), &c., of our gardens. [Amarantus retroflexus, Linn. 
and A. Blitum, Linn., very common warm country European and Asiatic 
weeds, occur here and there as outcasts from gardens, where they have 
been introduced with foreign seeds. | 
I, SALICORNIA. MARSH SAMPHIRE. 
Succulent, jointed herbs, sometimes hard and woody at the base, 
without leaves. Flowers immersed in the upper articles (or internodes) 
forming terminal, succulent, cylindrical spikes, each article having 6 
flowers, 38 in a triangle on each side. Perianth succulent, flat, and 
nearly closed at the top; the stamens (usually 2 or only 1) pr otruding 
through the minutely 3- or 4-toothed orifice. Style included in the 
