94 
BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
distance. The genus is placed in the Linnsean class Pentandria, from its five stamens ; and in the order 
Monogynia, from its single style. It is a curious circumstance relating to the plants belonging to this genus, 
that the seeds require to be always kept in a moist place; as, if they are ever suffered to become perfectly dry, 
they seldom vegetate. 
1.—THE COMMON TOUCH ME NOT. 
Synonyme. —The Yellow Balsam. 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 937 ; 2nd ed., t. 327 ; and our fig. 3, 
in PI. 21. 
Specific Character. —Peduncles with 3 or 4 flowers shorter than 
(Impatiens Noli-me-tangere, Lin.) 
the leaves, and spreading beneath them. Flowers pendulous, their 
spur recurved at the apex. Leaves ovate, coarsely toothed. Joints of 
the stem tumid. (Dec.) 
Description, &c.—This species is found on the borders of lakes and other large pieces of water; but 
particularly in Scotland, and in the North of England on the banks of the celebrated Wynander Mere. In 
its wild state, the plant has a very singular appearance, a number ef fleshy roots proceeding from the lowest 
joint of the stem above-ground. The plant withers so rapidly if not kept moist, that it is impossible to gather 
it for a nosegay without its losing all its beauty before any of the other flowers have shown the slightest 
symptoms of beginning to fade. When cultivated in gardens, the plant becomes more durable ; but even then 
its beauty is very short-lived. It is an annual, and flowers in July and August. 
THE COPPER-COLOURED TOUCH ME NOT. (I. fuiva, Sow.) 
This species is a native of America, and though it has occasionally been found wild in England, it is 
supposed merely to have escaped from the gardens. 
CHAPTER XXI. 
THE KNOT-GRASS FAMILY. (Illecebre.®, R. Brown.) 
This order includes four genera of British plants, viz., the Strapwort, ( Corrigiola, Lin.) ; the Rupture-wort, 
( Herniaria , Lin.); the Knot-Grass, ( Illecebrum , Lin.); and the All-seed, ( Polycarpon , Lin.); all of which 
are insignificant weeds, with very small flowers. 
CHAPTER XXII. 
THE TAMARISK FAMILY. (Tamariscine^e, Desv .) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx four or five-parted, persistent, 
with an imbricated aestivation. Petals inserted into the base of the 
calyx, withering, with an imbricated aestivation. Stamens either equal 
to the petals in number, or twice as many, either distinct or monadel- 
phous. Ovarium superior; style very short • stigmata three. 
Capsule three-valved, one-celled, many-seeded ; placentae three, either 
at the base of the cavity, or along the middle of the valves. Seeds 
erect, or ascending, comose ; albumen none ; embryo straight with an 
inferior radicle. Shrubs or herbs with rod-like branches. Leaves 
alternate, resembling scales, entire. Flowers in close spikes or 
racemes. ( Lindley .) 
Description, &c. —This order contains only one plant which is a native of Britain. 
