I. ARALIACEiE. The Aralia Tribe. 



Arali^, Juss. Gen. 217.(1789.) — AnALiACEiE, J. Richard in Dictionnaire Classique 

 d'lJistoire Nalurelle, 1. 506. (1822.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite perigynous sta- 

 mens, concrete carpella, an interior ovarium of several cells, pendulous soli- 

 tary ovula, leaves sheathing at the base, umbellate flowers, and embryo in the 

 base of fleshy albumen. 



Anomalies. None. 



EssEXTiAt CuAiSACTER Ca/^.i' superior, entire Of toothed. /'fto/s definite, 5 or 



6, deciduous, valvate in .-pstivation. Stamens definite, 5 or (j, or 10 or 12, arising from 

 within the border of the calyx, and from without an epij^ynous disk. Ovarium inferior, 

 with more cells than 2; ovula solitary, pendulous ; styles equal in number to the cells ; 

 stigmas simple. Fruit succulent, or dry, consisting of several 1 -seeded cells. Seeds soli- 

 tary, pendulous ; albumen fleshy, having a minute embryo at the base, with its radicle point- 

 ing to the hilum Trees^ shrubs, or herbaceous plants, with, in all respects, the habit of 



Umbelliferai. 



Affinities. Distinguished from Umbelliferse solely by their many- 

 celled fruit and more shrubby habit. Connected with Caprifoliaceae through 

 Hedera. 



Geography. China, India, North America, and the Tropics of the 

 New World, are the chief abodes of the species of this small order. 



Properties. The Ginseng, which is the root of Panax quinquefolium, 

 is much valued by the Chinese for its beneficial influence upon the nerves, 

 and for other supposed properties. It is, however, discarded from European 

 practice. Ainslie, 1. 154. There appears to be no reasonable doubt that 

 the Ginseng has really an invigorating and stimulant power when fresh. The 

 virtues that are ascribed to it by the Chinese, although perhaps imaginary to 

 a great extent, are nevertheless founded upon a knowledge of its good eftects; 

 which, after the statements made by Father Jartoux, cannot reasonably be 

 called in question. An aromatic gum resin is exuded by the bark of Aralia 

 umbellifera, and others. 



Examples. Aralia, Gastonia, Panax. 



II. UMBELLIFERA. The Umbelliferous Tribe. 



Umbellifera., Juss. Gen. 218. (1789) ; Koch in N. Act. Bonyi. 12. 7.3. (1824); Dec. and 

 Duby, p. 213. (1828) ; Lindl. Synops. 111. (1829); Dec. Mimoire (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with five perigynous stamens, 

 concrete carpella, an inferior didymous ovarium with two styles and solitary 

 pendulous ovula, leaves sheathing at the base, umbellate flowers, and a minute 

 embryo in the base of fleshy albumen. 



Anomalies. Sometimes there are three carpella. 



Essential Character Calyx superior, either entire or 5-toothed. Petals 5, 



inserted on the outside of a fleshy disk ; usually inflexed at the point ; mstivation imbricate, 

 rarely valvate. Stamens 5, alternate with llie petals, incurved in a-stivation. Ovarium 

 inferior, 2-celled, with solitary pendulous ovula ; crowned by a double fleshy disk ; styles 

 2, distinct ; stigmata simple. Fruit con.sisting of 2 carpella, separat)le from a common axis, 

 to which thev adhere by their face {the commissure) ; each carpellum traversed by elevated 

 ridycs, of which 3 are primary, and 4, alternating with them, secondary; the ridges are 

 separated by channels, below which are often placed, in the substance of the ])ericarp, cer- 

 tain linear receptacles of coloured oily matter, called vitta. Seed pendulous, usually adher- 

 ing inseparably to the pericarpium, rarely loose ; embryo minute, at the base of aliundant 

 horny albumen; >«f/?c/e pointing to the hilum Herbaceous jilaiUs, with fi^tular furrowed 



