36 
dots and their definite stamens. Philadelphacese are distinguished by their 
polyandrous flowers, &c. The obscure character of the radicle of the embryo 
of Onagracese being unusually long, has been relied on by some as a charac- 
teristic mark of the order. I formerly considered Hydrocaryes, Circaeese, 
and Haloragese, as so many distinct orders; but upon a careful review of aU 
the bearings of the question, I incline to believe that these little assemblages 
of genera, are mere forms or degenerations of Onagracese. 
Geography. Chiefly natives of the temperate parts of the wmrld, and es- 
pecially of America : a good many are found in India, and a large number in 
Europe. In Africa they are scarcer, being mostly confined to the Cape, and 
to a few Jussiseas inhabiting other parts of that continent. 
Properties. Few, or unknown. Oenothera biennis is cultivated for the 
sake of its eatable roots ; and the leaves of Jussisea permdana form an emollient 
poultice. DC. 
GENERA. 
§ 1. Montinie^, DC. 
Montinia, L. 
Hauya, Mog. et Sess. 
§ 2. Fuchsie^, DC. 
Fuchsia, PI. 
Quelusia, Vandell. 
Dorvalia, Comm. 
Nahusia, Schneev. 
Skinnera, Forst. Chamsenerion, Tourn. 
§ 3. ONAGREiE, DC. Zauschneria, Presl. 
CEnothera, L. § 4. JussiEiE, DC. 
Heterostemon, Nutt. Jussiaea, L. 
Gayophytum, A. deJ. Prieurea, DC. 
Clarkia, Ph. Vanhallia, Schult. 
Gaura, L. Ceramium, Bl. 
Epilobium, L. Ludwigia, L. 
Isnardia, L. 
Dantia, Thouars. 
Lopezia, Cav. 
Pisaura, Bonat. 
Onosuris, Raf. 
Camisonia, Lk. 
Pleurostemon, Raf. 
Pleurandra, Raf. 
The following sub-orders are probably degenerations of Onagracese. 
Sub-Order. CIRC^EE^E. 
CiRC^ACEiE, Lindl. Synops. p, 109. (1829) ; Martins Conspectus, No. 229. (1835). 
Essential Character. — Calyx superior, deciduous, tubular, with a two-parted limb. 
Petals 2, alternate with the lobes of the calyx. Stamens 2, alternate with the petals, in- 
serted into the calyx. Disk large, cup-shaped, filling up the whole of the tube of the calyx, 
and projecting beyond it. Ovary 2-celled, with an erect ovule in each cell ; style simple, 
arising out of the disk ; stigma emarginate. Fruit 2-celled, 2 valved, 2 seeded. Seeds 
solitary, erect : albumen none ; embryo erect ; radicle short, inferior. — Herbaceous plants. 
Leaves opposite, toothed, stalked. Flowers in terminal and lateral racemes, covered with 
uncinate hairs. 
Affinities. These plants differ from true Onagracese in their large fleshy 
disk, which fills up the tube of the calyx, in the solitary erect ovules, and in 
the binary division of the flower. They may be considered as Onagracese de- 
prived of half their parts ; their relation to Lopezia is very close. 
Geography. Natives of the northern parts of the world, inhabiting 
groves and thickets. 
Properties. Unknown. 
' GENUS. 
Circaea, L. 
Sub-Order. HYDROCARYES. 
Hydrocaryes, Link Enum.Hort.Ber. 1. 141. (1821) ; Martins Conspectus, iVo. 231. (1835). 
— ONAGRARiiE, § Hydrocarycs, DC. Prodr. 3. 63. (1828). 
Essential Character. — Calyx superior, 4-parted. Petals 4, arising from the throat 
of the calyx. Stamens 4, alternate with the last. Ovary 2-celled ; ovules solitary, pendu- 
