Se ee 301 
plaited, with the limb entire or 5-lobed; stamens 5, inserted 
in the lower part of the corolla, and alternate with its lobes ; 
ovary simple, 1- to 4-celled, each cell having a few erect 
ovules ; style simple, or of several divisions ; a disk present ; 
pericarp a capsule, 1- to 4-celled, enveloped by the calyx ; 
embryo curved, in a mucilaginous albumen, and with the co- 
_ tyledons plaited or shrivelled. 
This family is distinguished from the Boraginee by the 
- plaited corolla, capsular pericarp, structure of the embryo, 
and twining habit. ‘ 
: Examptes.—Bindweed (Convolvulus sepium), Dodder 
(Cuseuta Epithymum.) 
Economicat Prorerties.—The Sweet Potato is the root 
of Convolvulus Batatas ; it contains an abundant quantity of 
starch, being used as an article of food, and is destitute of © 
that resinous principle and violent purgative quality which 
reside in the roots of most of the Convolvulaces ; the root 
of C. edulis is also edible. 
Mepicinat Propertres.—The valuable properties found 
in this family reside in the genus Convolvulus. The roots 
contain an acrid juice, which, when dried in the sun, furnish- 
es a resinous matter, as in the Scammony (C. Seammonia), 
which is a well known and powerful cathartic. The pow- 
dered root of Jalap, formerly referred to Convolvulus Jala- 
pa (Ipomza macrorhiza), now to Ipomea Jalapa (1. purga), 
is another valuable cathartic obtained from this family. 
States that C. mechoacan, C. sepium, C. Soldanella, C. al- 
theoides, and C. arvensis, have similar properties. — ce 
— Convolvulus sepium and C. Soldanela. are now placed in the oe 
Turbith root, obtained from Ipomea Turpethum, or C. 
Turpethum, is also a drastic purgative ; and M. Richard oe 
