Order XX
CARYOPHYLLEÆ.
These consist of herbs or low undershrubs, inhabiting the mountains and pastures of all parts of the world. In Europe and Siberia they are particularly abundant, and least so in Africa and South America. Many are common weeds, as most of the Cerastiums, Spérgulas, and others. Several of the Silénes are very ornamental, and among the Arenárias are to be found some dwarf species of considerable elegance. But it is in Dianthus that the pride of the order consists: this genus is almost unrivalled for the brilliancy of its colors, the neatness of its foliage, and the perfume of its flowers. From the finest of its species the title of the order has been derived. The virtues of Caryophylleæ are slight. Saponária officinális, and one or two others, have been praised for possessing antisyphilitic properties; the root of Siléne virginiana is reputed anthelmintic; and the Arenária peploídes, being fermented, is used by the Icelanders for food. 1044 Gypsophila W. 1046 Dianthus W. 1045 Saponária W. 91 Ortégia W. 311 Buffónia W. 319 Sagína W. 920 Mæhríngia W. 931 Elátine W. 225 Mollúgo W.
Tribe 1. SILENEÆ. 1047 Cucúbalus L. 1048 Siléne L. 1067 Lýchnis W.
Tribe 2. ALSINEE. 1066 Agrostémma W. 604 Velézia W. 687 Drýpis W. 691 Pharnaceum W. 220 Holósteum W. 1070 Spérgula W. 1069 Larbréa St. Hil. 1049 Stellária W. 688 Alsíne W. 1050 Arenária W. 1068 Cerastium W. 1051 Cherléria W.
ORDER XXI.
LINEÆ.
Separated by M. Decandolle from Caryophylleæ, from which it is well distinguished by its fruit having several cells, or in the language of the botanist just named, being formed by the cohesion of several carpella. Most of the species are pretty plants, bearing yellow, blue, or white flowers. They are of immense importance in the world, on account of the tenacity of their fibres when made into flax. The seeds of common flax are between mucilaginous and oily; the leaves of Línum catharticum and L. selaginoídes, the latter a native of Peru, are purgative. 701 Línum W.
ORDER XXII. 321 Radíola Sm.