203 



should be confined to this group, as it comprehends the genus Rubia; but 

 that name has been so generally applied to the larger mass now compre- 

 hended under the name of Cinchonacese, that I find it better to abolish the 

 name Rubiaceaj altogether. 



Geoghaphy. Natives of the northern parts of the northern hemisphere, 

 where they are extremely common weeds. 



Properties. First among them stands Madder, the root of Rubia 

 tinctoria, one of the most important dyes with which we are acquainted ; a 

 quality in which many other species of Stellatee participate in a greater or 

 less degree. The roots of Rubia Manjista yield the Madder of Bengal 

 {Ainslie, 1. 203.) The torrefied grains of Galium are said to be a good 

 substitute for coffee. The flowers of Galium verum are used to curdle milk. 

 An infusion of Asperula cynanchica has a little astringency, and has been 

 used as a gargle. Asperula odorata, or Woodruff, is remarkable for its 

 fragrance when dried ; it passes for a diuretic. Rubia noxa is said to be 

 poisonous. Ed. Phil. Journ. 14. 207. 



Examples. Galium, Rubia, Asperula, Sherardia, Crucianella, 



CXC. CINCHONACE^. The Cinchona Tribe. 



RuBiACEiE, Jmss. Gen. 196. (1789) /or the most part ; Ann. Mus. 10. 313.(1807); Mtm. 

 Mus. 6. 365. (1820); Diet, des Sciences, 46. 385. (1827). — Opercularine^, 

 Juss. Ann. Mus. 4.418. (1804.) 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with an inferior ovarium, and 

 opposite entire leaves, with intermediate stipulge. 



Anomalies. Opercularia has but I cell and 1 seed, and the number of 

 stamens is incongruous with the lobes of the corolla. 



Essential Character. — Calyx superior, simple, with a definite number of divi- 

 sions or none, and connate bracteae at its base. Corolla superior, tubular, regular, with 

 a definite ntimber of divisions, which are valvate or imbricated in aestivation and equal to 

 the segments of the caljrx. Stamens arising from the corolla, all on the same line, and 

 alternate with its segments ; pollen elliptical. Ovarium inferior, surmounted by a disk, 

 usually 2-celled, occasionally with several cells ; ovitla numerous and attached to a central 

 placenta, or few and erect or ascending ; style single, inserted, sometimes partly divided ; 

 stigma usually simple, sometimes divided into a definite number of parts. Fruit inferior, 

 either sphtting into 2 cocci, or indehiscent and dry or succulent, occasionally many-celled. 

 Seeds definite or indefinite ; in the former case erect or ascending, in the latter attached to 

 a central axis ; embryo small, oblong, surrounded by horny albumen ; cotyledons thin ; radi- 

 cle longer, turned towards the hilum Trees, shrubs, or herbs. Leaves simple, quite 



entire, opposite or verticillate, with interpetiolary stipules. Flowers arranged variously, 

 usually in panicles or corymbs. 



Affinities. This well-marked and strictly limited order is nearly allied 

 to Compositse, from which its distinct stamens, bilocular or plurilocular ova- 

 rium, and inflorescence, distinguish it; and consequently it participates in all 

 the relationship of that extensive group. From Apocynese the aestivation of 

 the corolla, the presence of stipulse, and the inferior ovarium, distinctly 

 divide it ; yet, according to Mr. Brown, there exists a genus in equinoctial. 

 Africa which has the interpetiolary stipules and seeds of Rubiaceae, and the 

 superior ovarium of Apocyneoe, thus connecting these two orders. Congo, 

 448. The close proximity of Caprifoliaceae has been adverted to in speaking 

 of that order. A tribe called Opercularineoe, referred here by Mr. Brown 

 {Ibid. 447) and others {A. Rich. EUm. cd. 4. 483), is remarkable for having 

 but 1 seed, and the number of stamens unequal to the lobes of the corolla, 



