60 



stamens divide them. AVith Labiatce they have often a striking resemblance 

 in habit, but this goes no further. 



M. Decandolle admits the two following tribes: — 



1. § SalicariejK, Mem. Soc. H. N. Genev. 3. p. 2. 71.; Prodr. 3. 15. 

 (1828.) 



Lobes of the calyx more or less distant in aestivation, or somewhat val- 

 vate. Petals several, alternate with the lobes of the calyx, and arising 

 from between them at the orifice of the tube ; sometimes wanting. Stamens 

 arising from lower down the tube. Seeds apterous. — Shrubs or herbaceous 

 plants. Dec. 



2. § Lagerstromiea;, Dec. 1. c. p. 70. ; Prodr. 3. 92. (1828.) 



Lobes of the calyx exactly valvate in cestivation. Petals several, alter- 

 nate with the lobes of the calyx, and arising from between them in the apex 

 of the tube. Stamens two or three times as numerous, and arising from 

 lower down the tube. Seeds with a membranous wing. — Shrubs or trees. 

 Dec. 



Geography. The Lagerstrbmias are all Indian or South American. 

 The true Salicariae are European, North American, and natives of the tropics 

 of both hemispheres. Lythrum Salicaria, a common European plant, is 

 singular for being found in New Holland, and for also being the only species 

 of that order yet described from that country. 



Properties. Astringency is a property of the Lythrum Salicaria, 

 which is reputed to have been found useful in inveterate diarrhoeas : another 

 species of the same genus is accoiuited in Mexico astringent and vulnerary. 

 The flowers of Lythrum ? Hunteri are employed in India, mixed with Mor- 

 inda, for dyeing, under the name of Dhawry. Hunter, As. Res. 4. 42. 

 Heimia salicifolia, a plant remarkable, in an order with red or purple flowers, 

 for its yellow corolla, is said to excite violently perspiration and the urinary 

 secretion. The Mexicans consider it a potent remedy for venereal diseases, 

 and call it Hanchinol. Dec. Lawsonia inermis is the plant from which 

 the Henne of Egypt is obtained. Women in that country stain their fingers 

 and feet with it. It is also used for dyeing skins and maroquins reddish 

 • yellow, and for many other purposes. It contains no tannin. Ed. P. J. 

 12. 416. The leaves of Ammannia vesicatoria have a strong muriatic smell; 

 they are extremely acrid, and are used by the native practitioners of India 

 to raise blisters, in rheumatism, &c. : bruised and applied to the part in- 

 tended to be blistered, they perform their office in half an hour, and most 

 effectucilly. Ainslie, 2. 93. 



Examples. Lythrum, Lagerstrbmia, Ammannia. 



LIII. RHIZOPHOREiE. The Mangrove Tribe. 



KiiizoPHORE^E, R. Brown Gen. Rem. in Flinder.^s, p. 17- (1814) ; in Congo, p. 18. (1818) ; 

 Dec. Prodr. 3. 31. (1828.) — Paletuviehs, Savigny in Lam. Did. 4. G!»G. (17yC.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with perigynous stamens twice 

 the number of the petals, concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium of 2 cells 

 with pendulous, ovules, and opposite leaves with interpctiolar stipulue. 



Anomalies. The leaves of Baraldcia have pellucid dots. In Cassi- 

 pouna the ovarium is superior, and the seeds have albumen. 



Essential Chaiiacteh. — Calyx superior, very rarely nearly inferior, with the lohes 

 varyinjf in number from 4 to 13, occasionally all cohering in a calyptra. I'clnls arising 

 from the calyx, alternate with the lobes, ami tMiual to them in number. Slumcn.s arising 



