199 



might be regarded as recurrent, originating from the united apices of the 

 primary branches ; but in other cases, where they are equally, distinct at 

 the base of the tube, this supposition cannot be admitted. A monopetalous 

 corolla not splitting at the base is necessarily connected with this structure, 

 which seems also peculiarly well adapted to the dense inflorescence of Com- 

 positae, the vessels of the corolla and stamina being united, and so disposed 

 as to be least liable to suffer by pressure." R. Broiun Linn. Trans. 12. 77. 



Geography. All parts of the world abound in Compositse, but in very 

 different proportions. According to the calculations of Humboldt, they con- 

 stitute \ of the phaenogamous plants of France, ^ of Germany, Jj- of Lap- 

 land, in North America ^, within the tropics of America ^ ; upon the autho- 

 rity of Mr. Brown, they only form -^g of the Flora of the north of New 

 Holland, and did not exceed Jj in the collection of plants formed by Dr. 

 Smith upon the western coast of Africa in Congo. Congo, 445. In Sicily 

 they constitute rather more than -| (Presl.) ; the same proportion exists in 

 the Balearic Islands (Cambesstdes) ', but in Melville Island they are rather 

 more than -^^ (Brown), a proportion nearly the same as that of the tropical 

 parts of New Holland. It does not, therefore, appear that Compositae, as 

 an order, are subject to any very fixed ratio of increase or decrease corre- 

 sponding with latitude. But much remains to be learned upon this subject. 

 It is certain that Cichoracese are most abundant in cold regions, and Corym- 

 biferse in hot ones ; and that while in the northern parts of the world Com- 

 positse are universally herbaceous plants, they become gradually frutescent, 

 or even arborescent, as we approach the equator ; most of those of Chile are 

 bushes, and the trees of St. Flelena are chiefly Compositse. 



PiioPERTiES. I shall extract the substance of Decandolle's excellent 

 remarks upon the properties of this family, with some additions. See Essai 

 sur les Proprietcs, 8fc. 177. 



They are best considered under the three principal heads of classification . 



CoRYMBIFER^;. 



There is a bitterness peculiar to all Compositae, which in this section 

 assumes a particular character, being combined with a resinous principle. 

 If this latter exists in an inconsiderable quantity, and mixed with a bitter or 

 astringent mucilage, we find tonic, stomachic, and febrifugal qualities, as in 

 Tussilago Farfara, Camomile, Elecampane, Golden Rod, Matricaria Parthe- 

 nium, the Stevia febrifuga of Mexico, and Eupatorium perfoliatum. The 

 Inula Helenium, or Elecampane, has a root which is aromatic and slightly 

 foetid. It is said to be of little value as a stomachic ; the French prepare 

 from it a medicinal wine they call Vin d'Aulnee. A'mslie, 1. 120. Eupa- 

 torium perfoliatum is known in North America under the name of Boneset. 

 It possesses very important tonic and diaphoretic properties ; it is also slightly 

 stimulant. See Barton, 2. 133. upon this subject. In proportion as this 

 resinous principle increases, the stimulating properties are augmented. Some 

 become anthelmintics, as Artemisia, Tansy, and Santolina ; others emmena- 

 gogues, as Matricaria, Achillea and Artemisia. The seeds of Vernonia 

 anthelmintica are accounted, in India, a very powerful anthelmintic. Ainslie, 

 2. 54. Artemisia chinensis and other species yield the Moxa of China, a 

 substance which is used as a cautery, by burning it upon parts affected by 

 gout and rheumatism. The leaves of A. maderaspatana are esteemed by 

 the Indian doctors a valuable stomachic medicine ; they are also sometimes 

 used in antiseptic and anodyne fomentations. Ibid. 1. 482. Artemisia 

 indica is considered in India a powerful deobstruent and antispasmodic. 

 Ibid. 2. 194. Some are sudorifics, like Eupatorium, Achillea, Artemisia, 

 and Calendula ; others diuretic ; and some possess both these qualities. A 



