272 



CCXLV. MELANTHACE.E. The Coi.chicum Tribe. 



Melanthe.T!, Batsch. Tab. Aff. (1802). — Colchicace^t., Dec. Fl. Fr. 3. 102. (ISlo); 

 Ess.Mtd. 208. (1816). — Melaxthace.i-, R. Brown Prodr. 272. (1810) ; Lindl. 

 Synops. 2G4. (1829); Dec. and Diiby, 473. (1828). — VERATUEiE, SalisL inllort. 

 Trans. 1. 328. (1812); Agardh Aphur. IGG. (1823). — Merender^t:, Mirb. accord- 

 ing to Decandolle. 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with nearly separate 

 carpella, and anthers turned outwards. 



Anomalies. Campynema has an inferior ovarium. 



Essential Character — Perianthium inferior, petaloid, in 6 pieces, or, in conse- 

 quence of the cohesion of their claws, tubular ; the pieces generally involute in aestivation. 

 Stamens G; anthers mostly turned outwards. Ovarium 3-celled, many-seeded ; style trifid 

 or 3-parted ; stigmas undivided. Capsule generally divisible into 3 pieces ; sometimes with 

 a loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds with a membranous testa ; albumen dense, fleshy. R. Br. 



Roots fibrous, sometimes fascicled. Rhizoma sometimes fleshy. Leaves sheathing at the 



base, with parallel veins. Flowers either arising from under the surface of the ground, 

 or arranged upon tall leafy stems in large panicles, or disposed in spikes or racemes upon a 

 naked scape. 



Affinities, Mr. Brown, who restored this tribe, considers its station 

 to be between Asphodelese and Juncese, from both which it is known by its 

 tripartible fruit, and anthers turned outwards. The genera differ very much 

 in habit, which renders it doubtful whether some further change in the order 

 will not be necessary. Their properties are more uniform than their ap- 

 pearance. 



Geography. Frequent at the Cape of Good Hope, not uncommon in 

 Europe, Asia, and North America, and existing in the tropics of India and 

 New Holland, this order appears to be confined within no geographical 

 limits; it is, however, far more abundant in northern countries than else- 

 where. 



Properties. Poisonous in every species, but more especially in the 

 Colchicum and Veratrum. The cormus of the former is a well-known acrid 

 cathartic, narcotic, and diuretic ; the latter is a nauseous dangerous emetic. 

 The medicinal properties of the root of Veratrum are, owing to a peculiar 

 alkaline principle, called Veratrin, which acts with singular energy on the 

 membrane of the nose, exciting violent sneezings, thougli taken in very minute 

 quantity. When taken internally in very small doses, it produces excessive 

 irritation of the mucous coat of the stomach and intestines; and a few grains 

 are found fatal to the lower animals. Turner, 652. Veratrum viride of 

 North America is an acrid, emetic, and powerful stimulant, followed by 

 sedative effects. Biyelow, 2, 125. Veratrin is found in the root of the 

 Colchicum. Turner, 652. Gloriosa superba is recorded to possess simi- 

 lar acrid powers. The root of Helonias dioica in infusion is anthelmintic, 

 but its tincture is bitter and tonic. Dec. 



Examples. Colchicum, Mclanthium, Uvularia, Bulbocodium,Tofieldia, 



CCXLVI. PONTEDERE^.. 



Pontedere^e, Kunth in Hnmb. el Bonpl. N. G. 1.211. (1815); Agardh Aph, 109. 

 (1823); Hooker in Bot. Mag. 2932. (1829). — PoNTEDERiACEiE, Ach. Rich. 

 Nouv. Eltm. ed. 4. 427. (182i5.) 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with a superior ova- 

 rium and irregular perianthium, involute after flowering. 

 Anomalies. 



