137 
ance, ought to be considered as one {FL Bras. Mer. 1. 95.), and he would 
I even add Linacese ; but that assemblage of plants has not a gynobasic structure. 
' It, however, seems to connect the Gynobaseous with the Syncarpous group, 
and to point out the relation between Silenacese, Geraniacese, and Malvaceae. 
I To the latter order, indeed, Geraniaceae approach very nearly even in the sti- 
! pulation of the leaves and the general appearance of the species. The analogy 
i of this same natural order and Violales points out the passage to the Parietous 
group. For many valuable observations upon the mutual connection between 
the orders of this alliance see Roper de jioribus et affinitatibus Balsaminearum. 
Basileae, 1830, 8vo. 
Order CIII. GERANIACE^. The Geranium Tribe. 
Gerania, Juss. Gen. 268. (1789). — GERANiACEiE, DC. FI. Fr. 4. 828. (1805) ; Prodr. 
1. 637. (1824) ; Lindl. Synops. 56. (1829). 
Essential Character. — Sepals 5, persistent, ribbed, more or less unequal, with an 
imbricated aestivation ; 1 sometimes saccate or spurred at the base. Petals 5, seldom 4 in 
consequence of 1 being abortive, unguiculate, equal or unequal, either hypogynous or peri- 
gynous. Stamens usually monadelphous, hypogynous, twice or thrice as many as the 
petals ; some occasionally abortive. Ovary composed of 5 pieces placed round an elevated 
axis, each 1-celled, 1-seeded ; styles 5, cohering round the elongated axis. Fruit formed of 
5 pieces, cohering round a lengthened indurated axis ; each piece consisting of 1 cell, con- 
taining 1 seed, having a membranous pericarp, and terminated by an indurated style, which 
finally curls back from the base upwards carrying the pericarp along with it. Seeds solitary, 
pendulous, or ascending, without albumen. Embryo curved ; radicle pointing to the base 
of the cell ; cotyledons foliaceous, convolute, and plaited. — Herbaceous plants or shrubs. 
Stems tumid, and separable at the joints. Leaves either opposite or alternate; in the latter 
case opposite the peduncles ; often stipulate. 
Anomalies. * Petals none in Rhynchotheca, which also has albumen. 
Affinities. In many points nearly related to Oxalidaceae, Balsaminaceae, 
and Tropseolese, with which they are by some botanists associated. They 
are, however, distinguished by the pecidiar dehiscence of the fruit, their stems 
with tumid joints, their convolute plaited cotyledons, and habit. Their analogy 
with Vitacese is pointed out in speaking of that order. In many respects they 
border close upon Malvaceae, agreeing with that order in their lobed stipulate 
leaves, monadelphous stamens, and convolute embryo. The genus Rhyncho- 
theca, which is remarkable for having a flat embryo in the axis of albumen is 
regarded by Aug. de St. Hilaire as a proof of the identity of this order and 
Oxalidaceae. The beaked fruit, however, of Geraniaceae, and the very general 
presence of stipules, sufficiently divide that order from the remainder of its alli- 
ance. The suspended position of the seed has been given as a general character 
of Geraniaceae ; but the position of the ovules varies according to species in the 
genera Erodium and Geranium; and in consequence of the inequality of growth 
the seed is always ascending in the capsule. Aug. de St. H., FI. Bras. 1. 
104. 
Geography. Very unequally distributed over various parts of the world. 
A great proportion is found in the Cape of Good Hope, chiefly of the genus 
Pelargonium ; Erodium and Geranium are principally natives of Europe, North 
America, and Northern Asia, and Rhynchotheca of South America. It is re- 
markable that Pelargonium is found in New Holland. 
Properties. An astringent principle and an aromatic or resinous flavour 
are the characteristics of this order. The stem of Geranium spinosum bums 
like a torch, and gives out an agreeable odour. The root of Geranium macu- 
latum is considered a valuable astringent in North America, where it is some- 
