Dicotyledons with Polypetalous Flowers . 
13 
Natural Order 
CARYOPH YLLACEAL Tab. 11. 
Diagnosis. —Herbs with opposite entire exstipulate leaves. Stamens 
hypogynoiis, definite. Pistil syncarpous. Ovary 1-celled, with a free cen¬ 
tral placenta. Seeds with mealy albumen. 
Distribution.— A rather large Natural Order, of which the greater proportion is principally 
confined to the North Temperate zone, where some of the genera are widely spread, while others are 
nearly peculiar to South Europe and the Levant. A few, as Chickweed ( Stellaria media), are weeds 
accompanying man in his migrations. A few genera affect Arctic and Alpine situations. 
Number of British Genera, 13; Species, 56. 
Flowers regular, terminal, solitary or cymose. 
Sepals usually 5 ; united in Pink {Diantlius ), Campion {Lychnis), Catchfly ( Silenc), and others : distinct in 
Stitchwort, Chickweed {Stellaria), Mouse-ear Chickweed ( Gerastium ), and others. Upon this distinction depend the 
two principal Tribes of the Natural Order. 
Petals 5, clawed or sessile ; entire, bifid, or fimbriate ; rarely minute or wanting. 
Stamens usually twice as many as petals. 
Ovary i- celled, but traces of as many arrested partitions as styles (2—5) are often visible at the base of the 
cavity ; frequently raised upon a short stalk {gynojphove). 
FRUIT a capsule, dehiscing by teeth or valves. 
Embryo usually curved, often surrounding the albumen. 
USES, &c.—The Order is destitute of any marked properties, and very few species are turned to economic 
account. The root of a few possesses a saponaceous principle. Many of the Caryophyllacese are familiar garden 
flowers, as the numerous varieties of Pink, Carnation, and Sweet William {Dianthus); the Campions {Lychnis 
clialceclonica, L. Coronaria, and allies), and the Catchflys {Silene), of which several species are cultivated. 
