90 



SILENE PURPUREA. 



drawing being taken late in the season, it is much paler than it appears when in 

 perfection. We considered its station near Congesta, Sibth. and Sm. Since 

 then we have ascertained that it is S. compacta, Fisch., but too late to have it 

 altered ; for according to Botanical usage, his name is entitled to priority. We 

 were misled by Seringe's very imperfect character in the work above quoted. 



The geographical distribution of this genus is universal, some being found in 

 every part of the habitable globe, even to the Arctic Regions, from whence three 

 new species have been described by Dr. Hooker in the Flora Boreali- Americana. 



Plants composing this natural order are distinguished by their leaves being 

 opposite, the joints swollen. Petals four or five (wanting in a few genera.) 

 Sepals as many as the petals, and continuous with the peduncle. Stamens twice 

 as many as the petals inserted in the torus. Ovarium joined to apex of the torus, 

 simple. Capsule two to five-valved, dehiscing at the apex. Placenta sometimes 

 central, sometimes adhering to the edge of the dissepiments. Seeds numerous. 

 Albumen mealy. Embryo more or less curved. Radicle pointing to the hilum. 

 These structures may be observed in the genus Dianthus, Lychnis, Gypsophila, 

 and Silene. 



A hardy annual, requiring no particular soil, and ripening seeds freely. To 

 keep up a succession of flowering plants, a portion may be sown both in spring 

 and autumn. 



The generic name is derived from StaXov (Sialon), Saliva, in allusion to the 

 viscid secretion with which some of the species are frequently covered. 



Fig. 1, germ, with its 3 styles ; 2, petal, crowned with 2 appendages at the 

 throat. 



