282 



THE OENOTHERA FAMILY. 



when ripe, about 2 lines long, obovate, 

 with 4 green angles, and containing 

 numerous minute seeds. 



In wet ditches, bogs, and pools, in 

 central and southern Europe, central 

 Asia, and North America, not crossing 

 the Baltic to the northward. In Britain 

 only known hitherto in three localities 

 in Hampshire and Sussex, and in the 

 Channel Islands. Fl. summer. 



Fig. 346. 



IV. CIROffiA. CIROEA. 



Herbs, becoming perennial by creeping rootstocks from the base of 

 the erect annual flowering stems, with opposite stalked leaves, and 

 small flowers in terminal racemes. Limb of the calyx of two divisions, 

 turned back whilst flowering. Petals 2. Stamens 2. Style distinct, 

 with a thick stigma. Ovary and capsule globular, pear-shaped, or ob- 

 long, 2- or 1-celled, with 1 seed in each cell. 



This pretty little genus consists but of three or four species, spread 

 over Europe, temperate Asia, and North America, all so nearly re- 

 sembling each other, that, in the opinion of some botanists, they are 

 mere varieties of one. 



Plant more or less hairy. Capsule pear-shaped, with 2 seeds . 1 . Common C. 

 Leaves perfectly glabrous. Capsule oblong, with 1 seed . . 2. Alpine C. 



1. Common Ciresea. Circsea lutetiana, Linn. (Eig. 347.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1056. Enchanter s Nightshade.) 



Stems erect or shortly decumbent, and rooting at the base, 1 to 1\ 

 feet high, and, as well as the leaves and racemes, more or less clothed 

 with very short whitish hairs. Leaves on rather long stalks, broadly 

 ovate or heart-shaped, 2 to 3 inches long, rather coarsely toothed, of a 

 thin texture. Flowers white or pink, in elegant, slightly branched, 



