Page:An introduction to physiological and systematical botany (1st edition).djvu/446

 416 2. Digynia begins with the remainder of the Contortæ; then follow some incomplete flowers, as Chenopodium, t. 1033, Beta, t. 285, and afterwards the fine alpine genus of Gentiana, t. 20, 493, 896, famous for its extreme bitterness and consequent stomachic virtues.

The rest of the Order consists of the very natural Umbelliferous family, characterized by having five superior petals, and a pair of naked seeds, suspended vertically when ripe from the summit of a slender hair-like receptacle. Of the inflorescence of this tribe, and the difficulties attending their generic distinctions, we have spoken p. 309. In Eryngium, t. 718 and 57, the umbel is condensed into a capitulum, or conical scaly head, showing an approach towards the compound flowers, and accompanied, as Jussieu observes, by the habit of a Thistle. Lagoecia is justly referred to this natural order by the same writer, though it has only a solitary seed and style. The Umbelliferæ are mostly herbaceous; the qualities of such as grow on dry ground are aromatic, while the aquatic species are