The vegetative _branching_ is characteristic. One of the leaves in a pair is formed before the other, and has a more vigorous axillary bud; these stronger leaves stand in a ¼-spiral, the fifth above the first one, and the branches are consequently arranged in the same manner. In the inflorescence, however, it is the upper or second bracteole (β) whose axillary bud (_w_ in Fig. 361) is most advanced. The bud of the first bracteole (α) becomes sometimes entirely suppressed, or in some this bracteole itself is suppressed. [Illustration: FIG. 360.--Diagram of _Lychnis_: α, β bracteoles.] [Illustration: FIG. 361.--_A-F_ Diagrams of flowers of the Caryophyllaceæ: _A Agrostemma_; _B Sagina_; _C Stellaria_; _D Corrigiola_; _E Paronychia_; _F Herniaria_.] The most original type appears to be represented by the Alsineæ. From this form on one side the Sileneæ, adapted in a higher degree for insect-pollination, are developed, and on the other side the Paronychieæ, with various reductions. =1.= ALSINEÆ, STITCHWORT GROUP. Sepals free, and connected with them stellately expanded, slightly unguiculate (white or inodorous) petals; these, however, often become suppressed (Fig. 363). The fruit is a capsule. [Illustration: FIG. 362.--_Cerastium arvense_: _A_ fruit; _B_ seed; _C_ section of seed.] =a.= As many carpels as sepals (4 or 5). _Cerastium_ (Chickweed). The petals are bifid. Capsule cylindrical, frequently _curved_ at the top, and opening by 10 teeth (Fig. 362).--~_Malachium_ differs only in the 5-toothed capsule with bifid teeth.~--_Spergula_ (Spurry). The petals are not bifid, capsule 5-valved; seeds winged. The leaves are linear, and appear as if placed in large numbers in a whorl, a branch being situated in the axil of each with leaves placed very close together at its base; _stipules membranous_.--~Sagina has Sn, Pn, An + n, or An, Gn, where n = 4 or 5. The corolla is often wanting.~ =b.= 3 (rarely 2) carpels (Fig. 361 _C_). _Stellaria_ (Stitchwort) has deeply cleft petals. The number of stamens varies (see above).--_Arenaria_ has entire petals. ~(To this group belong _Alsine_, _Moehringia_, _Halianthus_, or _Honckenya_ (Fig. 363), which differ from each other, especially in the form of the seed and number of the capsular valves.) _Spergularia_ has membranous stipules, as in _Spergula_.--_Holosteum._~ [Illustration: FIG. 363.--_Arenaria_ (_Halianthus_) _peploides_: ♀-(_A_) and ♂-flower (_B_, _C_).]