100 



THE TINK FAMILY. 



and from the Hypericum family in its valvate calyx, definite sta- 

 mens, and in habit. 



I. FRANKENIA. FKANKENIA. 



Prostrate or spreading seacoast herbs or undershrubs, with opposite, 

 often clustered, small leaves, and no stipules, the flowers sessile in the 

 upper axils. Sepals combined into a tubular calyx, with 4 or 5 teeth. 

 Petals 4 or 5, with long claws and spreading laminas. Stamens 4 or 5, 

 alternating with the petals, and usually 2 or 3 additional ones opposite 

 the petals. Ovary single, with one style, shortly 2-, 3-, or 4-cleft. 

 Capsule opening in 2, 3, or 4 valves. Seeds attached to the centre of 

 the valves, very small, with a straight embryo imbedded in albumen. 



A genus of few species, but widely spread over the seacoasts of nearly 

 all the temperate and warmer regions of the globe. 



1. Common Frankenia. Frankenia lsevis, Linn. (Fig. 125.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 205. Sea-Heath.) 



A diffuse, much-branched perennial, 

 spreading to the extent of 6 or 8 inches ; 

 glabrous or nearly so in the British spe- 

 cimens. Leaves crowded in little op- 

 posite clusters along the branches, small, 

 rather thick, and appearing linear from 

 their edges being closely rolled down. 

 Flowers few r sessile among the upper 

 leaves, forming little terminal leafy 

 heads or short spikes. Calyx furrowed, 

 about the length of the leaves. Petals small, pink. 



In maritime sands and salt-marshes, common round the Mediter- 

 ranean and in central Asia, and extends up the western coasts of Spain 

 and France. Varieties of what is now considered as the same species 

 are abundant in similar localities in the southern hemisphere. In 

 Britain only on the south-eastern coasts of England. Fl. summer. The 

 hairy variety, often distinguished as a species, common in the south, 

 does not appear to extend to Britain. 



XII. THE PINK FAMILY. CARYOPHYLLACE^l. 



Annual or perennial herbs, with opposite entire leaves and no 

 stipules, or, in a very few genera, small scarious stipules; the 



