138 



THE ELATINE FAMILY. 



Very common on the sandy or marshy 

 seacoasts of the Mediterranean, and ex- 

 tending up the Atlantic shores of Spain 

 and France. Now found on several 

 parts of the southern coast of England, 

 and apparently established there, but 

 believed to be only where it has been 

 planted. Fl. early summer. 



Fig. 173. 



XV. THE ELATINE FAMILY. ELATINACEjE. 



A very small family, confined in Europe to the single genus 

 JElatine, but comprising two or three others from hotter or tro- 

 pical climates. They differ from the tribe Alsinece, of the Pink 

 family, in their capitate stigmas, and their ovaries and capsules 

 completely divided into 3 or more cells. 



I. ELATINE. ELATINE. 



Minute, glabrous, aquatic or marsh annuals, with opposite, entire 

 leaves, minute, almost microscopical stipules, and very small, axillary, 

 solitary flowers. Sepals 3 to 5, sometimes united at the base. Petals 

 as many, hypogynous, entire. Stamens as many, or twice as many. 

 Styles 3 to 5, with capitate stigmas. Ovary and capsule divided into 

 as many cells as styles, opening, when ripe, in as many valves, leaving 

 the dissepiments adhering to the axis. Seeds several. 



A small genus, spread over the northern hemisphere, in the new as 

 well as the old world. 



Flowers stalked. Petals 3. Stamens 6. Styles 3 . 

 Flowers sessile. Petals 4. Stamens 8. Styles 4 . 



1. Six-stamened Tl. 



2. Hight-stamened JS. 



