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Dicotyledons with Polypetalous Flowers . 
Natural Order 
T ROPiEOLACE^E. 
D iagnosis.— Twining or diffuse juicy herbs with alternate palmately- 
veined leaves. Flowers irregular, spurred. Stamens hypogynous, 8. Ovary 
3-lobed, 3-celled. Fruit separating into cocci from a short persistent axis. 
Distribution. —A very small Natural Order (by many Botanists regarded as a tribe of Geraniacese), 
confined to South America; chiefly to Chili, Peru, and Equador. 
SEPALS 5; united below, posterior sepal spurred, spur free. 
Seeds one in each cell, exalbuminous. 
USES, &c.— Characterised by a pungent juice and antiscorbutic properties. The unripe fruit of the ornamental 
Indian Cress or Garden Nasturtium (Tropcvolum onajus) is pickled and used as capers. A second species, the 
Canary Flower ( T . peregrinum), is a common half-hardy ornamental climber, and a few others with red, blue, or 
parti-coloured flowers are cultivated in plant-houses. 
Natural Order 
BALSAM I NET. 
Diagnosis.— Herbs with succulent stems and alternate or opposite leaves. 
Flowers irregular, spurred or saccate. Stamens hypogynous, 5. Ovary 
5-celled. 
