CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERMS. 623 



medicinal interest. CHAULMUGRA OIL is said to be obtained from 

 the seeds of Gynocardia odorata of Farther India. The seeds also* 

 contain gynocardic acid and hydrocyanic acid. The latter is also 

 present in the seeds of Hydnocarpus venenata of Southern India 

 and Ceylon and the leaves of Kiggelaria africana. 



A number of species of Lcctia growing in Cuba yield a resin 

 resembling sandarac. The Coccos oil which is used in perfumery 

 is obtained from several species of Myroxylon growing in Poly- 

 nesia. The fixed oils from the seeds of Gynocardia odorata and of 

 several species of Pangium are used in cooking. A bitter principle 

 occurs in the bark of Casearia adstringens of Brazil. A purgative 

 principle is found in C. esculenta of tropical Asia and Australia. 

 The root of Homalium raccmosum of Guiana contains an astrin- 

 gent principle. 



/. FAMILY TURNERACE^E These plants are herbs, 

 shrubs and trees mostly found in tropical America, and are of 

 interest on account of the leaves of Tnniera diffusa, particularly 

 the variety apkrodisiaca, which yield the DAMIANA of medicine, 

 esteemed as a tonic laxative like Rhamnus Purshianus. The drug 

 usually consists of leaves, although the reddish stems, yellowish 

 flowers and globular capsules may be present. The leaves are 

 about 25 mm. long, varying from oblanceolate to obovate ; the 

 margin is serrate-dentate; the color, light-green (older leaves 

 somewhat coriaceous and pubescent); the odor aromatic; taste 

 aromatic and bitter. Damiana contains a volatile oil, resin, and 

 the bitter principle damianin. Ethereal oils are found in other 

 species of Turnera, and T. angustifolia of Mexico contains con- 

 siderable mucilage. 



m. PASSIFLORACE^E OR PASSION-FLOWER FAM- 

 ILY. The plants are mostly herbaceous or woody vines climbing 

 by means of tendrils, with alternate, palmately-lobed, petiolate 

 leaves and solitary, perfect, regular flowers. The flowers are 

 peculiar in that between the corolla and stamens there are numer- 

 ous, frequently petaloid, colored, sterile, filamentous bodies which 

 are known collectively as the " corona." The fruit is a berry or 

 dehiscent capsule. The genus Passiflora is known as the Passion- 

 flower because the flowers are considered to be emblematic of the 

 Crucifixion, the corona representing the crown of thorns, the 



