223 
GENERA. 
§ 1. STYPHELIiE, Bai 
Styphelia, Sm. 
Astroloma, R. Br. 
Ventenatia, Cav. 
Stenanthera, R. Br. 
Melichrus, R. Br. 
Cyathodes, La Bill. 
Lissanthe, R. Br. 
Perojoa, Cav. 
Monotoca, R. Br. 
Acrotriche, R. Br. 
Trochocarpa, R. Br. 
Decaspora, R. Br. 
§ 2. Epacride/e, 
Epacris, Forst. 
Lysinema, R. Br. 
Prionotes, R. Br. 
Cosmelia, R. Br. 
Andersonia, R. Br. 
Poftceletia, R. Br. 
Sprengelia, Sm. 
Poiretia, Cav. 
Cystanthe, R. Br. 
Pilitis, (31). 
Richea, R. Br. 
Dracophyllum, La Bill. 
Sphenotoma, R. Br. 
Alliance III. PRIMULALES, 
Essential Character. — Anthers bursting longitudinally, without any kind of appen- 
dage. Carpels 4-5, very often with their dissepiments absorbed. 
Order CLXIX. PRIMULACEiE. The Primrose Tribe. 
Lysimachi^, Juss. Gen. 95. (1789). — Primulacea;, Vent. Tabl. 2. 285. (1799) ; R. Brown 
Prodr. 427. (1810) ; Lindl. Synops. 182. (1829). 
Essential Character. — Calyx divided, 5-cleft, seldom 4-cleft, inferior, regular, per- 
sistent. Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, regular; the limb 5-cleft, seldom 4-cleft. 
Stamens inserted upon the corolla, equal in number to its segments, and opposite them ! 
Ovary 1 -celled; style 1 ; stigma capitate. Capsule opening with valves ; placenta central, 
distinct. Seeds numerous, peltate ; embryo included within fleshy albumen, and lying across 
the hilum ; radicle with no determinate direction. — Herbaceous plants. Leaves usually 
opposite, either whorled or scattered. R. Br. 
Anomalies. Samolus has the ovary half inferior, and 5 sterile stamens, in addition to 
the 5 fertile ones. Glaux is apetalous. 
Affinities. Nearly allied to' all the regular monopetalous orders with 
capsular superior fruit, especially to Solanaceae and Ericacese, from both which, 
and all others, they are readily known by the stamens being placed opposite 
the segments of the corolla, and not alternate with them.- In this respect they 
agree with Myrsinaceae, which differ principally in their fleshy fruit and arbo- 
rescent habit. Another character of Primulaceae is to have the embryo lying 
across the hilum within the albumen, so that the radicle is presented neither 
to the umbilicus nor to one extremity, but to one side. Trientalis differs 
a little in its somewhat succulent fruit. Glaux, an apetalous genus is, and I 
think correctly, placed here ; but, according to Don {Jcmeson's Journal, Jan. 
1830, p. 166.), it should be referred to Plantaginacese, “where it will form 
the connecting link between that family and Primulaceee.” 
Geography^ Common in the northern and colder parts of the globe, 
growing in marshes, hedges, and groves, by fountains and rivulets, and even 
among the snow of cloud-capped mountains. The genus Douglasia was found 
by the traveller whose name it bears, blossoming while covered with snow, 
on the Rocky Mountains of America. They are uncommon within the tropics, 
where they usually occupy either the sea shorey or the summits of the most 
lofty hills. 
Properties. As beautiful objects of culture, these rank among the most 
esteemed, both on account of their bright but modest-looking flowers, among 
the earliest harbingers of spring, and also for the sake of their fragrance. Their 
sensible properties are feeble. The Cowslip is slightly narcotic, and the root 
of Cyclamen is famous for its acridity ; yet this is the principal food of the 
wild boars of Sicily, whence its common name of Sowbread. Anagallis ar- 
