128 
socles, in the Flora Brasilice Merid. (2. 175), the genus Spergularia, in which 
the petals and stamens are very often perig^mous, the styles sometimes conso- 
lidated at their base, and the stamens 5 in number, establishes a passage be- 
tAveen Alsinacese and Illecebracese, and tends to confirm the opinion of Bai tling, 
who considers these two orders as belonging to the same alliance. 
Geography. Tlie south of Europe and the north of Africa are the great 
stations of the order, where the species grow in the most barren places^ co- 
vering with a thick vegetation soil which is incapable of bearing any thing 
else. A few are found at the Cape of Good Hope ; and North America, in- 
cluding Mexico, com.prehends several. 
Properties. A trace of astringency pervades the order, and is the only 
sensible property that it is known to possess. 
GENERA. 
§ 1. Illecebreje, Bart. 
Herniaria, L. 
Gymnocarpum, Forsk 
Anychia, Michx. 
Polpoda, Presl. 
Steudelia, Presl. 
Dicarpaea, Presl. 
Hapalosia, Wall. 
Illecebrum, L. 
Paronychia, Juss. 
Plottzia, Arnott. (16) 
Pentacaena, Bartl. 
Acanthonychia, DC. 
Balardia, Camb. 
Arversia, Camb. 
Cardionema, DC. 
. Pollichia, Sol. 
Neckeria, Gmel. 
Meerhurgia, Moench , 
§ 2. Spergule^, Bartl 
Cerdia, FI. Mex. 
Lceflingia, L. 
Ortegia, Loefl. 
Cypselea, Turp. 
Rndiana, Rafin. 
Polycarpon, Lcefl. 
Stipulicida, Michx. 
Polycarpaaa, Lam. 
Hago'ci, Vent. 
Mollia, Wind. 
Lahaya, R. et S. 
, ? Folia, Lour. 
, Spergula, L. 
Stipularia, Haw. 
Lepigonum, Fries. 
Drymaria, Willd. 
Spergularia, Pers. 
§ 3. Mollugine/e, 
Bartl. 
Ginginsia, DC. 
Pharnacenm, L. 
Mollugo, L. 
Adenogramm.a, Rchb. 
Physa, Pet. Thou. 
Aylmeria, Mart. 
§ 4. Telephie^, DC. 
Corrigiola, L. 
Telephium, L. 
Limeum, 1.. 
Cometes, Burm. 
Saltia, R. Br. olim. 
Pteranthus, Forsk. 
Group VI. 
Essential Character. — Carpels seldom or ever exceeding 5, always in a single whorl 
diverging at the base and separated by the interposition of a conical gynobase which throws 
them into an oblique position. Stamem in most cases distinct from the calyx. Flowers 
rarely unisexual. 
In most cases this gymobasic structure is exceedingly obvious, especially 
after the ovary is a little advanced towards maturity ; for then the obliquity of 
the cells or carpels becomes more apparent. Very often the gynobase is 
excessively enlarged or lengthened, as in Ochna and Geraniales ; sometimes it 
remains as a column, from which the carpels separate, as in Rutacese ; some- 
times it is merely a short cone, round which the carpels are placed, as in 
Coriales. Nevertheless, instances occur in which plants not belonging to this 
group may, by the inexperienced botanist, be confounded with it ; these mostly 
occur in Malvacese, Rosacese and Euphorbiaceie. The instances of an approach 
to a gynobasic structure in Malvacese and Rosacese are chiefly those where a 
considerable number of carpels are placed round a fleshy axis ; the number 
Avill in such cases prevent any error being committed, for no Gynobaseous order 
has more than 5 carpels, except accidentally. Euphorbiacese, which are much 
more like gynobasic plants, and which, in fact, constitute an approach to 
Rutales, are known by their completely unisexual flowers, and by their carpels 
being in no degree obliquely fitted to the central column. 
