GERANIALS, 11 8 FLAXWORTS. 
Natural Order, Jflaywworts ; Linacee (V. K., p. 485.) 
Prevailing Quality. Purgative, emollient. 
Linum. Linneeus. 
Sepals 3-5, persistent. Petals 3-5, slightly united at the base. Stamens 
slightly monadelphous. Capsule 3-5-celled, 
174 each cell subdivided by a spurious partition. — 
oe a 1. L. wsitatissimum Linneus.—(Common F1ax.) 
i] Fig. 174. 
wy) 
Stem simple, erect ; leaves alternate, lanceolate ; 
flowers blue; sepals ovate, acuminate, without 
glands. 
y ) Habitat. Hedges and woods of Europe. 
z Quality. Seeds, called Linseed, emollient, demulcent. _ 
Uses. To allay inflammation; in tea, poultices. Oil largely 
employed by painters. The crushed seeds are the oil- 
cake of farmers. 7 
2. L. catharticum Linnzeus. — (PURGING Fax.) 
Fig. 175. 
: é Ae 
Stem branched ; leaves Opposite, rough-edged, the lowest obovate, ™ 
others lanceolate ; flowers white ; sepals fringed with glands. 
Habitat. Damp meadows and fields, a 
Quality. Bitter, purgative, diuretic. Uses, In rheumatism. 
ig 174.—a, Linum usitatissimum ; 6, its pisti ; 475. Linum eathartieum 
_ a, a flower seen in front ; b, do. from belie gst & Gingram of its flower ; 175. Linum eathails 
