MONOEPIGYNEE:- 263 
segments of the inner whorl of the perianth different 
each other, the stamen adjacent, and not opposite to the 
um, the filament petaloid, the anther 1-celled, and in 
ing destitute of that pungent aroma which characterises 
Scitaminez. 
The existence of only one stamen in this family is explained 
the same way as in the Scitamine. 
Economican Prorerties.— The roots of the Marantacee 
in a considerable quantity of fecula, which forms an ar- 
of food in the East and West Indies. The fecula is not 
mbined, as in Scitaminew, with a hot aromatic principle, 
d is very nutritious. The Maranta arundinacea affords 
° greatest quantity: the well known powder called “ Indian 
w Root,” is obtained from this plant. It receives the 
e of Arrow Root from its supposed virtues in extracting 
poison communicated by poisoned arrows. Other species 
nish a nutritious matter abundantly, as Maranta nobilis 
1 M. ramosissima. Canna edulis and C. coccinea also 
re much fecula in their roots. 
Officinal Plant. 
Maranta arundinacea. 
ORDER XXIX. 
ORCHIDEZ. 
