332 HYPOPETALE. 
ORDER LXXXI. 
GERANIACEZ. 
Cuaracters.— Herbs, rarely shrubs, with simple or com- 
pound leaves often opposite, and having stipules ; calyx mo- 
nosepdlous, spurred at the base, of 5 deep divisions ; corolla 
of 5 petals, regular or irregular ; stamens 5 to 10, sometimes 
free, sometimes monadelphous ; ovary of 3 or 5 projecting 
lobes with as many cells, having 1 or 2 or more ovules at- 
tached to the inner angle ; style simple, long and terminated 
by 3 or 5 diverging stigmas ; pericarp composed of 3 or 5 1- 
celled indehiscent pieces, with 1 or many seeds, united by a 
central axis, and separating from each other when ripe, 
carrying along’with them part of the central axis and style ; 
seeds without albumen. 
Exampies.—Geranium, Indian Cress or Nasturtium (Tro- 
peolum majus), Wood-sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella.) 
Mepicinat Properties.—Astringency is the prevailing 
character in this family. This property is very marked in 
Herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum), and in Wood-sorrel 
( Oxalis Acetosella), G. sanguineum, G. pratense, G. maculatum, 
and 4verrhoa bilimbi, are also acid and astringent. The 
leaves of Wood-sorrel contain binoxalate of potassa, and are 
refrigerant, antiseptic, and diuretic. The essential salt of 
lemons is binoxalate of potassa obtained crystailized from 
_ the expressed juice of Ozalis Acetosella: ‘This plant is sup- 
posed to be the true Shamrock of the Irish. Some are pun- 
gent, aromatic, and stimulant, as Indian Cress. This plant is 
- avaluable antiscorbutic, according to M. Richard ; the fruits _ 
and flowers are used as seasonings. 
