156 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF [ Diosmea. 
the simple-leaved species of Ruta) the small order of Rutee ; so that India possesses 
representatives of nearly all its genera. pecatie 
The medical properties of the Rutacee are owing to a bitter principle, accompanied 
with essential oil: the latter giving them their strong and peculiar odour, and the other 
the bitter taste, on which account common rue is considered emmenagogue and anthel- 
mintic. Ruta angustifolia, said to be common in Persia, Caubul, and Tinkaboon, is 
given in India as a substitute for R. graveolens, and considered emmenagogue, as well as 
Peganum Harmala. R. albiflora is employed as a stimulant in the hills, 
49. DIOSMEZ. 
The Diosmee M. A. de Jussieu divides into four sections, according to the countries 
where they are produced, because he finds their fructification correspond with their 
geographical distribution. 1. European; 2. African, found in dry and sunny places, 
and characterising the Flora of the Gape; 3. Australasian, of which several in 
external appearance resemble some from the Cape; and, 4. American, of which the 
first sub-section contains Evodia, to which Dr. Wallich refers some species, and the 
second nearly corresponds with the Cuspariee of M. De Candolle. The first section, 
called European,—from the then single genus and species Dictamnus Fravinella having 
only been found in the southern parts of Europe,—exists also in the northern parts of 
Asia; as the species or variety, D. albus, has been fotind in Caucasus by Bieberstein, 
and with D. fravinella by Ledebour, in the Altai mountains. As we have seen in so 
many other instances a similarity between the vegetation of these regions and that 
of the Himalayas, so has a species of this genus, allied to D. altaica of Fischer, been 
found to exist in these mountains. ita ‘ 
Dictamnus, though used as a medicinal agent, does not, like many of this family, 
possess any very powerful properties; but the Déiosmas, Bocho or Bucku plants of 
the Cape, as well as some Boronias, &c. containing much essential oil, and noted for 
their powerful odour, have been employed as stimulants ; while the tribe of Cusparie, 
containing Cusparia febrifuga, noted as an aromatic tonic, as well as species of Monnieria, 
Ticorea, and Evodia, used in the cure of intermittent fevers, are accounted powerful 
tonics. Of these the species would no doubt succetd well in Bengal and the south of 
India; while the north is suited to the Diosmee of the Cape and New Holland. 
Dictamnus Himalayanus; foliis 6-jugis cum impari, rachi non alato, foliolis ovato-lanceolatis 
membranaceis, calyci persistenti, petalis subsequalibus, ovario sessili—Hab. First found by Lieut. J. 
W. Stephens at Jumnotri; subsequently specimens have been brought me from Kunawur, where 
it was also found by Mr. Inglis at Mirung. v. Tab. 29. 1. Flower, with some Petals and Stamens 
removed, to shew the sessile ovarium and declined style. 2. The 5-carpelle, with the persistent 5-fid 
calyx, 3. A single carpel opening internally, and terminating at its apex in a kind of hook. 4. The 
horny endocarp supporting two seeds. 6, A seed removed, 5. The same, cut longitudinally. 7. Em- 
" bryo, separated from the albumen. 
50. ZANTHOXYLEZ: 
