RANUNCULACEAE. 139 
der is a large one, particularly in temperate and cold regions, 
b Ee ae eel and Maia over 170 genera and 1,200 avian 
Of these, 7 genera, represented by 18 species, occur in New Zea F : 
Some species are ubiquitous, but the majority are endemic, Pachycladon 
(1 sp.) and Notothlaspi (2sp.) being confined to these islands. Many intro- 
i run wild. 
ae, Of : Heelies contain sulphur and a considerable quantity of 
nitrogenous substances, and to these they owe their nutritive, stimulating, 
and often pungent properties. They are therefore said to be anti- 
scorbutic. The following are cultivated as vegetables : Cabbage and its 
varieties (Savoy, Cauliflower, Brocoli, &c.), Turnip, Radish, Cress, Mus- 
tard, Sea-kale, Horse-radish, &c. The seeds of many species yield oil, 
the Rape (from which colza-oil is obtained) being chiefly cultivated for 
this purpose. Many genera are cultivated for their flowers—e.g., Mat- 
thiola (Stock), Chetranthus (Wallflower), Arubis, Lunaria (Honesty), 
Alyssum, Candytuft, &c. ; 
Order VI. CARYOPHYLLEAS. 
Herbs, with opposite entire leaves springing from tumid 
nodes; stipules 0, or, when present, very small and scarious. 
Inflorescence cymose. Sepals 4 or 5, free or united, imbricate. 
Petals 4 or 5, sometimes 0, hypogynous or perigynous. Sta- 
mens 8 or 10, sometimes fewer, inserted with the petals. 
Ovary 1-celled, or 3—-5-celled in its lower portion; styles 2-5; 
ovules co, on slender basal funicles which are sometimes 
joined into a free-central placenta. I*ruit a capsule, dehiscing 
by as many or twice as many teeth (valves) as there are 
styles; seeds with floury endosperm, and usually a cylindrical 
curved embryo. (Pp. 22-26, figs. 21-28.) 
The order is a large one, particularly in the north temperate and 
arctic regions, and includes some 35 genera and 800 species. 4 genera 
and 12 species are in New Zealand: of these Spergularia rubra and 
Gypsophila tubulosa are of wide distribution, while Stellaria, though 
widely spread in the Northern Hemisphere, is represented here by 
5 endemic species of Tasmanian affinities. Colobanthus (5 sp.) is an 
antarctic genus. 
None of the species are of economic importance, but some of its 
genera (of the tribe Silene) are cultivated for their flowers—e.g., Dian- 
thus (Pinks, Carnations, and Sweet Williams), Agrostenuna, Silene, 
Lychnis, Viscaria, and Saponaria. 
Order X. MAnvace2. 
Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with stellate hairs; leaves alter- 
hate, stipulate. Flowers often handsome, with or without 
bracts. Calyx 5-lobed, valvate. Petals 5, adnate at the base 
to the tube of the stamens, twisted in bud. Stamens co, mona- 
delphous ; anthers usually reniform and 1-celled. Disc 0, or 
produced up between the carpels. Carpels 1 or more, free or 
united, whorled round and adnate with the torus: styles as 
many as the carpels, connate below. Fruit of 1 or more dry 
indehiscent schizocarps, or capsular; seeds often woolly, with 
large folded cotyledons and little or no endosperm, ; 
