1 40 The Jussieuean, or Natural^ System of Plants, 



called Cocculus indicus in the shops, is the seed of Menisper- 

 mum Cocculus. Several Brazilian species of Cocculus are 

 said to possess powerful febrifugal properties. No species of 

 Menispermeae is found in Europe ; they are chiefly natives of 

 tropical America and Asia. 



Wendlandia W. Menisp^rmum L. Cissampelos L, 



Schizandra Mx. Cocculus Dec. 



Ohdee VI. BERBERPDEM, 



With the exception of Berheris this order does not contain 

 any genus of much interest ; most of the others are low, incon- 

 spicuous, herbaceous plants ; Nandhia is an elegant Japanese 

 shrub. The Berberises are all shrubs of much beauty and 

 interest, especially the species with pinnated leaves, which are 

 sometimes called Mahonias. These are all inhabitants either 

 of Europe, Asia, or North and South America ; none have 

 ever been seen in Africa or New South Wales. Many of the 

 finest species from Chile and India yet remain to be intro- 

 duced. The berries of the Berberises are acid and astringent ; 

 the latter quality is especially abundant in the stem and bark. 



jEpimedium W. Caulophyllum Mx. Berheris L. 



ieontice h, Diphylleia Mx. Nandma Thun. 



Order VII. PODOPHYLLA^CEiE. 



Little interesting herbaceous North American plants, nearly 

 related on the one hand to A^ymphaeaceae, and, on the other, 

 to the herbaceous genera of Berber ides. Their juice is held 

 to be purgative. 



Podophyllum L. JefFersonia Ph. 



Order VIII. HYDROPELTrDE^. 



This order differs from ^ymphaeaceae chiefly in having a de- 

 finite number of seeds. It consists of only two genera, each 

 containing a single species. Both are little floating plants of 

 tropical and northern America. Nothing is known of their 

 properties* 



Hydropeltis L. 



Order IX. iSTYMPH^A^CEiE. 

 Like the last, these are all floating plants, and, to gardeners, 

 possessed of great interest, on account of the elegant form and 

 various hues of their flowers. Two species are known as the 

 lilies of our own streams and ponds, and the remainder occupy 

 similar stations in other countries. Some of the Indian 

 species of Nymphae^a are delightfully fragrant. The holy 

 cyamus, or Pythagorean bean of antiquity, is the produce of 

 the .^/i?/w?w&/?^w, a stately aquatic, which abounds in all the hot- 



