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Synopsis: Pentandria

POLYANTHUS, or PRIMULA, from Greek polus, many, and anthos, a flower; the flowers being in umbels on the summit of a common stem, as distinguished from those of the primrose, which appear singly on separate stems. The generic name primula is from primulus, the beginning, referring to the early appearance of the flowers in spring. N.O., Primulaceoe. LINNAEAN: 5, Pentandria; 1, Monogynia.-Annual or perennial herbs with radical leaves and regular flowers. Calyx usually with five divisions or lobes; corolla in one piece, with usually five lobes; stamens equal to the number of the lobes, and opposite to them; style and stigma simple; fruit one-celled, many-seeded. A comparatively unimportant family, best known for the beautiful flowers it contributes to our fields and gardens.

CAMPANULA, from Lat. campana, a little bell. N.O., Campanulaceoe. LINNAEAN; 5, Pentandria; 1, Monogynia.-This order consists for the most part of leafy herbs with alternate leaves, which sometimes contain a milky juice. The flowers are hermaphrodite and regular, consisting of a persistent calyx, usually of five divisions, but sometimes of three or eight. Corolla inserted in the summit of the tube of the calyx, usually five-lobed, and bell or saucer shaped; stamens five, inserted in the summit of the tube of the calyx; ovary inferior, with two, three, or five many-ovuled seeds; fruit a capsule containing many seeds attached to a central placenta. A comparatively unimportant order, the members of which are esteemed for their beauty.

CRASSULA, from Lat. crassus, thick, in allusion to the succulent leaves. N.O., Crassulaceoe. LINNAEAN: 5, Pentandria; 1, Monogynia.-The crassula or stonecrop family comprises plants that are herbaceous, woody, and succulent. The leaves are alternate or opposite, some-times ternate or unequally pinnate, without stipules; flowers hermaphrodite, regular; the calyx with five lobes usually, but sometimes with as many as twenty; corolla consisting of petals equal in number to the lobes of the calyx; stamens five to ten; ovaries free, equal in number to the petals; fruit composed of many-sided carpels, to the inner sutures of which the seeds are attached. In echeveria the corolla is in one, piece, deeply divided, and the stamens are united to it. A quite unimportant order, though renowned for the beauty of its flowers. MIMULUS, from Lat. mimus, a mimic, an ape, in reference to the gaping mouth formed by the under petal; hence the familiar name of monkey flower. N.O., Scrophulariaceoe. LINNAEAN: 14, Didynamia; 2, Angiospermia.-The order consists of herbs or shrubs, with leaves usually opposite, sometimes alternate; flowers hermaphrodite, irregular, in spikes or clusters; the calyx is permanent, with four or five unequal divisions; the corolla is subject to great variation, but is usually four-divided, and gaping; stamens four; ovary two-celled, many-ovuled; style simple with two-lobed stigma; fruit a two-celled capsule; seeds with a straight cylindrical embryo. A large and very natural order, comprising the calceolaria, verbascum, antirrhinum, diplacus, digitalis, veronica, bartsia, rhinanthus, &c. The species are scattered all over the world, but are most abundant in the warmer temperate regions. Their properties are various, but few of them are available as food; many produce powerful drugs, and all are more or less suspicious.