ARISTOLOCHIACEjEi 814 



the white ash and less deeply furrowed. The buds are of a deep blue, not 

 yellow as in the former. The leaves are a foot or more in length, of about 7 

 sessile leaflets, which are smooth above and red-downy on the veins beneath. 

 The wood ispurplisli. very tough and elastic, but less durable than the white 

 ash. The young saplings are in great requisition for hoops, and the mature 

 trunks for baskets. May. Black Ash. 



3. F. TOxMENTO'SA. Muh. 



Leaflets petiolate, elliptical-ovate, acuminate, serrate, covered with a dense 

 tomentum beneath, as well as the -petioles and brunchlels ; floioers calyculate. 

 The red ash is abundant in Penn. and the southern parts of N. England, re- 

 sembling the last species so as often to be confounded with it. It arises 60 

 feet, with a straight trunk covered with bark of a deep brown color. Leaves 

 of about 7 leaflets, which become reddish underneath. The wood is similar 

 to that of the white ash, and is valuable for about the same diversified uses. 

 May. Red Ash. 



4. F. juglandifo'lia. 



Leaflets petiolate, ovale, opaque, serrate, glaucous beneath, axils of the 

 Veins pubescent ; branrhes smooth ; flowers calyculate. A small tree, 15 — ^5 

 feet high, in wet woods. Leaves 10 — 15 inches long, consisting of 7 — 15 

 Jong, rather narrow leaflets. May. Swamp Ash. 



SUBCLASS III. APETAL.E. 



Corolla none; the floral envelopes consisting of a single series of 

 organs (calyx) only, or sometimes wholly wanting. 



ORDER CVI[. ARISTOLOCHIACE.E. ne Snake-root Tri>>e. 



Cal. — Tube adherent to the ovary, segments 3, valvate in a;slivation. 

 *Va. — 6 — 12, epigynoHS or adhering to the base of the short and thick .styles. 

 Ofa. — 3 — (i-celled. Stigmas radiate, as many as the cells of the ovary. 

 Fr. — Capsule or berry,;j— tj-colled. many-seeded. 

 Embryo uiinMe, in the base of fleshy allaimen. 



Herbs or shrubs, the latter often climbing. Leaves alternate, simple, petiolate, oAcn 

 with stipules. They are most abuudaiil in the tropical countries of S. America, and thinly 

 diffused throughout the northern hemisphere. 



Properties. Tonics and stimulants. Both the following species are successfully employ- 

 ed in medicine. 



1. ASA'RUM. 



Calyx campanulatc; stamens 12, placed upon (he ovary; 

 anthers adnata to tiie ntiiddle of the filaments; style very- 

 short; stigma 6-rajed ; capsule 6-celled, crowned with the 



calyx. 



Etymology obscure, said to be from the Greek a., privative, and o-hqo), to 

 bind ; because not used in garlands. Herbs, with creeping rhizomas and 

 1 — '2 leaves on each branch. Fls. solitary. 



