434 



DtCOTYLEDONES. 



etc.) properties in the latex or the seeds. OFFICINAL: " Cascarilla-bark " of 

 Croton eliitena ; the fatty oil of the seeds of Croton tiylium (Trop. Asia) ; " Cas- 

 tor oil" from Eiciinis communis (Africa, aud cultivated in all warm climates 

 throughout the world); the glandular hairs of Mallotits philippinensis (" Kamala ") ; 

 this also yields a red dye. Gum " Euphorbium " is the hardened (resinous) 

 latex of the Cactus-like Euphorbia resinifera (Morocco). NUTRITIVE plants : 

 Jltiitihot utiliimima and other species (Maniok, Am.). Their large, farinaceous 

 mots form a very important article of food in the Tropics (Cassava-flocr, 

 Tapioca or Brazilian arrow-root). The fresh latex of the root in some species 

 is a powerful poison ; but the poisonous properties are diminished by roasting 

 or cooking. Caoutchouc is obtained from Siphonia elastica (Trop. S. Am.). 

 The vegetable tallow of the Chinese tallow-tree (Stillingia sebifera) is used in 

 large qautities in soap factories. An indigo-like dye is obtained from Crozo- 

 plwra tiitctoria, and is also found in Mercnrialis pereuuis. Shellac is obtained 

 from Alcurites laccifera, ORNAMENTAL plants: AcalypJia, Croton, Dalediainpia. 

 - Hippomane is poisonous. 



Order 2. Buxaceae. This order differs from the Euphorbiaceffi in having 

 the micropyle turned inwards ; the $ -flower has a 4-partite perianth aud 4 

 stamens ; the $ -flower a 6-partite perianth and 3 carpels. Capsule with 

 loculicidal deliiscence, the inner layer being detached elastically from the outer. 

 30 species. Shrubs without latex and with evergreen leaves. Ihixus semper- 

 rirens (Box) is an ornamental shrub (poisonous) ; it has a very hard and valuable 

 wood which is used for wood engraving and carving. 



462. 463. 464. 



FIGS. 462-404. CalUtriche siagnalis. 



FIG. 462. <J -flower with the 2 bracteoles an<1 the solitary stamen. FIG. 463. $ -flower. 

 FIG. 464. Longitudinal section of the ripe fruit. 



Order 3. Callitrichaceae. Aquatic plants, growing at the bottom of shallow- 

 water, with opposite, simple, undivided, entire, exstipulate leaves, which are 

 generally crowded and form a rosette in the apex of the branches. The flowers 

 are unisexual (monoecious) and borne singly in the leaf-axils ; they have no 

 perianth, but are provided with two delicate bracteoles ; the S -flowers consist 

 of only 1 terminal stamen (Fig. 462) ; the $ -flowers of a bicarpellate gynoeceum 

 (Fig. 463) which is originally 2-locular, but later on becomes 4-locular, as in the 

 case of the gynceceuui of the Labiatae, by the formation of a false partition- 

 wall ; in each loculus there is 1 pendulous ovule with the micropyle turned 

 outwards. Fruit a ^-partite schizocarp (Fig. 464). 25 species. Callitriche. 



Order 4 (?). Empetraceae. 4 species. Empetrum ; E. >iirirum (Crowberry) 



