MONOECIA DIANDRIA. 517 
In this plant, I have not been able to distinguish the anther, nor any spi- 
ral striae around the fruit. 
Dr. Schweinitz sent me from Salem, North-Carolina, under the name of 
Chara Nidifica a plant closely allied to this. It appears to be more lucid 
and to bear leaves more numerous and more slender. Its habit is similar, 
and if not a variety of the present plant may form another species in a dis- 
tinct genus. 
The structure of this genus is obscure, and its real affinity still doubtful. 
Wallroth, who has examined it with great care, considers its fructifications 
as of two kinds; Nucules spirally striated, sessile, surrounded by a diapha- 
nous covering, one-celled, many seeded, indehiscent; globules of a reddish 
colour accompanying the nucules, opening with three to four valves and 
containing a mass of minute spiral filaments; that it belongs to the crypto- 
gamic plants, where it will constitute the basis of an order, (Characeae) next 
to the Confervae. Leman, on the other hand, considers it as a dicotyledo- 
nous plant allied to the Onagrariae and Salicariae, forming with a few other 
genera a new family under the name of Eleodeae. Hooker’s Flora Scotica, 
Part 2. p. 108. 
Grows in ditches — common in the rice fields on the Ogeechee river. 
Flowers April-— May. 
MONOECIA DIANDRIA . 
PODOSTEMUM. Michaux. 
Masculi — Calyx 0. 
Corolla 0. Stamina 
2, pedicello affixa. 
Foeminei — Calyx 0. 
Corolla 0. Germen 
ovatum. Stigmata 2, 
sessilia. Capsula 2- 
locularis, 2-valvis, po- 
lysperma. 
Male Florets — Ca- 
lyx 0. Corolla 0. 
Stamens 2, fixed on a 
pedicel. 
Female — Calyx 0. 
Corolla 0. Germ o- 
vate. Stigmas 2, ses- 
sile. Capsule 2-cell- 
ed, two-valved, many 
seeded. 
1. Ceratophyllum. 
