NATUBAL ORDEES. 
266 
Genera. — Melothria, Momordica, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Sicyos. 
Fig. 187, a, staminate flower of Cucumis sativus laid open, showing the stamena 
attached to the petals, and sinuous anthers ; c, 5-toothed calyx ; p, petals united ; 
«, fitamen separated ; b, a pistillate flower, with the calyx adherent to the ovary ; 
St, stigma ; se, a seed cut vertically ; e, the embryo separated. 
459. Ceassulace^, the House-leeJc Tribe. — Succulent herbs or 
shrubs. Leaves entire or pinnatifid. Flowers in cymes or 
racemes, sessile. Sepals 3-20, more or less united, persistent. 
Petals as many as the sepals, usually distinct. Stamens in- 
serted with the petals and equal to them in number, or twice 
as many. Carpels as many as the petals and opposite to them, 
sometimes consolidated. Fruit consisting of several follicles. 
Seeds variable in number ; embryo straight, in thin albumen. 
Genera. — Bryophyllum, Sedum, Sempervivum, Penthorum. 
460. Saxifkagace^, the Saxifrage Tribe. — Herbs or shrubs, 
Lemes alternate or opposite. Sepals 4 or 5, more or less united. 
Petals as many as the sepals, or wanting. Stamens 5-10, pe- 
rigynous. Ovary usually consisting of 2 carpels, united at the 
base, distinct at the apex ; stigmas sessile. Fruit capsular, 1 
or 2 celled. Seeds numerous, minute ; embryo straight, in fleshy 
albumen. The three sub-orders are, 
1. Saxifrages. — Small herbaceous plants. Petals imbricate 
in aestivation. Capsule 2-celled, with the placentae in the axis, 
or 1-celled, with parietal placentae. 
2. Hydeanges. — Shrubs. Petals valvate in aestivation. Cap- 
sule 2-celled ; the styles or stig- 
mas distinct or united. Stamens 
sometimes numerous. 
3. Philadelphes. — Shrubs. 
Petals convolute in jBstivation. 
Capsule 3 or 4 celled ; styles 
more or less united. Stamens 
usually numerous. 
a. Properties: astringent. 
Genera. — 1. Saxifrages — Saxifraga,Le- 
puropetalon, Chrysosplenium, Heuchera, 
Mitella, Tiarella. 2. Hydrangeas — Hydran- 
gea, Decumaria. 3. Philadelphes — Phila- 
delphus, Itea. 
Fig. 188, a. Hydrangea virens ; b, a 
(seed-vessel of H. hortensis ; c, its seed ; d, 
a section of it. 
461. Hamamelaces, the Witch- Hazel Tribe. — Shrvhs or small 
trees. Leaves simple, alternate. Flowers often polygamous, 
axillary. Calyx 4 or 5 cleft. Petals alternate with the seg- 
ments of the calyx, valvate in aestivation. Stamens 8, 4 alter- 
nate with the petals, and fertile ; the other 4 are opposite and 
sterile. Ova/ry adherent ; ovule solitary, suspended ; styles 2. 
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