267 



outer ; thus shewing that in these plants there is a strong and general 

 tendency in the filaments to assume the state of petals. 



Geoghapiiy, aw tropical, or nearly so. By far the greater number 

 inhabit various parts of the East Indies ; some are found in Africa, and a few 

 in i^merica. They form a part of the singular Flora of Japan. 



Properties. Generally objects of great beauty, either on account of 

 the high degree of developement of the floral envelopes, as in Hedychium 

 coronarium and Alpinia nutans ; or because of the rich and glowing colours 

 of the bractese, as in Curcuma Roscoeana {Wallich Plant. As. Rar. vol. 1. 

 tab. 9.) They are, however, principally valued for the sake of the aromatic 

 stimulating properties of the roots or rhizoma, such as are found in Ginger 

 (Zingiber officinalis), Galangale (Alpinia racemosa and Galanga), Zedoary 

 (Curcuma Zedoaria and Zerumbet), and many other species of the latter 

 genus. The warm and pungent roots of the greater and lesser Galangale are 

 not only used by the Indian doctors in cases of dyspepsia, but are also con- 

 sidered useful in coughs, given in infusion. Ainslie, 1. 141. The seeds of 

 many partake of the properties of the root. Cardamoms are the seeds of 

 several plants of this order. On the eastern frontiers of Bengal the fruit of 

 Amomum aromaticum is used ; the lesser Cardamom of Malabar is the 

 Elettaria Cardamomum ; another sort is the produce of Amomum maximum ; 

 and the greater Cardamoms are yielded by the Amomum Granum Paradisi. 

 Others are known for their dyeing properties, such as Turmeric. This sub- 

 stance, obtained from Curcuma longa, is cordial and stomachic ; it is also 

 considered by the native practitioners of India an excellent application in 

 powder for cleaning foul ulcers. Ibid. 1. 455. The fruit of Globba uviformis 

 is said to be eatable. Generally, in consequence of the presence of the aro- 

 matic oil that is so prevalent in the order, the roots or rhizomas, although 

 abounding in fsecula, are not fit for the preparation of arrow-root ; but an 

 excellent kind is prepared in Travancore, in the East Indies, from Curcuma 

 angustifolia. Ibid. 1. 19. 



Examples. Amomum, Zingiber, Alpinia, Hellenia, Kasmpferia. 



CCXLII. MARANTACEtE. The Arkow-Root Tribe. 



Cann.e, Jitss. Gen. 62. (1789) in pnrt. — CASS-EJE, R. Brown Prodr. 1. 30?. (1810); 



Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 932. (1825) CannEjI or MARANTEiE, Brown in FUnders 



(1814). — Cannace^e, Aiiardh Aph. 181. (1823); Link Handb. 1.223. (1829), a 

 § of Scitamineee. 



Diagnosis. Tripetaloideous monocotyledons, with a single 1-celled 

 anther, and a petaloid filament. 



Anomalies. The ovarium of Thalia is monospermous. 



Essential Ciiaiiacter. — Calyx superior, of 3 sepals, short. Corolla tubular, 

 irregular, with the segments in 2 whorls ; the outer 3-parted, nearly equal ; the inner very 

 irregular ; one of the lateral segments usually coloured, and formed diffeiently from the rest ; 

 sometimes by abortion fewer than 3. Stamens 3, petaloid, distinct, of which one of the late- 

 rals and the intermediate one are either barren or abortive, and the other lateral one fertile. 

 Filament petaloid, either entire or 2-lobed, one of the lobes bearing the anther on its edge. 

 Anther 1-celled, opening longitudinally. Pollen round (papillose in Canna coccinea, smooth 

 in Calathea zebrina). Ovarium 3-celled ; ovnla solitary and erect, or numerous and attached 

 to the axis of each cell ; ,s////e petaloid or swollen ; stigma either the mere denuded apex of 

 the style, or hollow, cucullate, and incurved. Fruit capsular, as in Scitamineie. Seeds 

 round, without arillus ; albumen hard, somewhat floury; embryo straight, naked, its radicle! 



