Jussieuean, or Natural^ System of Plants, 335 



with a pore, and their irregular flowers, one of which is often, 

 keel-shaped, and beautifully crested or bearded. The leaves 

 have generally a bitter astringent taste, which is much more 

 abundant in the roots, combined with an acrid and somewhat 

 resinous flavour : these properties are particularly sensible in 

 P. Senega, which is reputed a sudorific, diuretic, sialagogue, 

 cathartic, or mild emetic, according to the manner in which it 

 is administered. The yelhoi of South America, the root of a 

 species of Monnina, has the same properties as P. Senega, and 

 is particularly used as a remedy for dysentery. The well 

 known rattany, or ratanhia, root of Chile, is the produce of 

 a plant of this order, and possesses powerful tonic and astrin- 

 gent qualities. According to the analysis of a French che-r; 

 mist, it contains gallic acid, but neither tannin nor resin. 



Polygala Ton. Murdltia Neck. Miindia Kunth. Securidaca L. 



Order XVII. DROSERA^CEiE. 



The order of sun-dews is a small group of plants, natives* 

 of marshes or inundated grounds in all the temperate parts of 

 the world. The species are very remarkable for the abun^ 

 dance of glandular hairs with which all the parts of the foliage 

 are covered. Only two species are in any degree frutescent. 

 The young leaves are always rolled up in the circinate man- 

 ner, so remarkable in ferns. Their medicinal properties ap-^ 

 pear to be trifling : the leaves have the power of curdling milk. 

 Drosera L, Diond?'a W. 



Order XVIII. BIXTNEM. 



The plants of this order are few in number, and not re- 

 markable either for beauty or use. The Bixa Orelldna is 

 chiefly known for producing the seed called in the shops ar- 

 notta {7'ocon, Fr.) and used for colouring cheese ; the pro- 

 perties of the arnotta are slightly purgative and stomachic. 

 They are all bushes or small trees, and mostly tropical. 

 Azaras, Chilian shrubs, with fragrant flowers, are not yet 

 known in the gardens of Europe. 



Bixa L. ProcMa L. 



Order XIX. ClSTrNE^E. 

 The common rock-roses of our gardens give an accurate 

 idea of this order, which contains little else. They are all 

 very ornamental, and particularly well calculated for covering 

 rockwork. The species of Clstus and Helianthemum have 

 iDeen multiplied by Dunal in an extravagant manner, as has 

 been well demonstrated by Mr. Bentham. They are natives 

 of most parts of the world in dry elevated places. The gum 



