THE SPERMATOPHYTES 471 
2 integuments and a bract-like perianth. Fruit in Ephedra a 
reddish, somewhat globular, galbulus-like structure (syncarp). 
Seed albuminous, the embryo with two cotyledons imbedded in 
endosperm. 
The drug EpHepra consists of the green stems of Ephedra 
sinica, Ephedra equisetina, E. distachya, E. Gerardiana or other 
species of Ephedra containing the alkaloid ephedrine. These 
species are largely Asiatic in distribution. The United States 
Pharmacopoeia recognizes the alkaloid ephedrine and two of its 
salts, ephedrine sulfate and ephedrine hydrochloride. Prepara- 
tions of these are official in the National Formulary. Ephedrine 
and its salts are used locally to shrink mucous membranes in 
colds and asamydriatic. They are given internally for LeSieeenses 
asthma, and certain circulatory conditions. 
THe ANGIOSPERMS 
The angiosperms comprise a large assemblage of seed plants 
which are more highly developed than those of the preceding 
group. Like the gymnosperms they possess flowers with sporo- 
phylls (stamens and carpels), but the floral axis has been 
shortened so that the sporophylls and the accessory floral leaves 
(sepals and petals), when present, are brought closer together on 
the axis, instead of being separated at strikingly different levels 
along the axis. The ovules, instead of being borne naked on a 
scale, are enclosed within the ovary and the seeds are covered 
by the ripened wall of the ovary which is called the pericarp or 
seed vessel. 
Lire History oF AN ANGIOSPERM (ERYTHRONIUM) 
This attractive little plant, commonly called the Dog’s Tooth 
Violet but related to the Lily, is found in the hollows of woods and 
may be seen in flower during the month of April in the Middle 
Atlantic States. It consists of an underground stem bearing 
scales (modified leaves) which is termed a bulb. From the lower 
surface of the bulb are given off numerous slender rootlets which — 
penetrate the soil and from the upper surface, a pair of oblong, 
lance-shaped /eaves of pale green color mottled with purple and 
white, and later, a flower stalk (scape), which bears upon its sum- 
