I. ARALIACE^E. The Aralia Tribe. 



Arali.2E, Juss. Gen. 217. (1789.) — Aealiaces, A. Richard in Dictionnaire Classique d'His- 

 toire iXaturelle, 1. 506. (1822.) [Dec. prod. 4. 251. (1830.) J 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite perigynous stamens, 

 concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium of several cells, pendulous solitary ovula 

 leaves sheathing at the base, umbellate flowers, and embryo in the base of 

 fleshy albumen. 



Anomalies. None. 



Essential Character. — Calyx superior, entire, or toothed. Petals definite, 5 or 6, decidu- 

 ous, valvate in aestivation. Stamens definite, 5 or 6, or 10 or 12, arising- from within the bor- 

 der of the calyx, and from without an epigynous disk. Ovarium inferior, with more cells 

 than 2; ovula solitary, pendulous ; styles equal in number to the cells; stigmas simple. Fruit 

 succulent, or dry, consisting of several 1-seedecl cells. Seeds solitary, pendulous ; albumen 

 fleshy, having a minute embryo at the base, with its radicle pointing- to the hilum.— Trees, 

 shrubs, or herbaceous plants, with, in all respects, the habit of Umbelliferse. 



Affinities. Distinguished from Umbelliferae solely by their many-celled 

 fruit and more shrubby habit. Connected with Caprifoliaceffi through Hedera. 



Geography. China, India, North America, and the Tropics of the New 

 World, are the chief abodes of the species of this small order. 



Properties. The Ginseng, which is the root of Panax quinquefolium, is 

 much valued by the Chinese for its beneficial influence upon the nerves, and 

 for other supposed properties. It is, however, discarded from European prac- 

 tice. Ainslie, 1. 154. [Bigelow, 1. 82.] There appears to be no reasonable 

 doubt that the Ginseng has really an invigorating and stimulant powerwhen 

 fresh. The virtues that are ascribed to it by the Chinese, although perhaps 

 imaginary to a great extent, are nevertheless founded upon a knowledge of its 

 good effects : which, after the statements made by Father Jartoux, cannot rea- 

 sonably be called in question. An aromatic gum resin is exuded by the bark 

 of Aralia umbellifera, and others. 



Examples. Aralia, Gastonia, Panax. 



II. UMBELLIFERA. The Umbelliferous Tribe. 



U MBELLIFER.E, Juss. Gen. 218. (1789); Koch in N. Act. Bonn. 12. 73. (1824): Dec. and Duby 

 p. 213. (1828) ; Lindl. Synops. 111. (1829) ; Dec. Memoire (1829.) [Prod. 4. 55. (1830.) ] 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with five perigynous stamens, con- 

 crete carpella, an inferior didymous ovarium with two styles and solitary pen- 

 dulous ovula, leaves sheathing at. the base, umbellate flowers, and a minute 

 embryo in the base of fleshy albumen. 



Anomalies. Sometimes there are three carpella 



Essential Character.— Calyx superior, either entire or 5-toothed. Petals 5, inserted on 

 the outside of a fleshy disk ; usually inflcxed at the point ; aestivation imbricate, rarely val- 

 vate. Stamens 5, alternate with the petals, incurved in aestivation. Ovarium inferior, 2- 

 cellcd, with solitary pendulous ovula: crowned by a double fleshy disk; styles 2, distinct; 

 stigmata simple. Fruit consisting of 2 carpella, separable from a common axis, to which 

 they adhere by their face (the commissure) ; each carpellum traversed by elevated ridges, of 

 which 5 are primary, and 4, alternating with them, secondary; the ridges are separated by 

 channels, below which arc often placed, in the substance of the pericarp, certain linear recep- 

 tacles of coloured oily matter, called ritta. Seed pendulous, usually adhering inseparably to 

 the pericarpiurn, rarely loose. ; embryo minute, at the base of abundant horny albumen ; radi- 

 cle pointing to the hilum.— Herbaceous plants, with fistular furrowed stems. Leaves usually 

 divided, sometimes simple, sheathing at the base. Flowers in umbels, white, pink, yellow, or 

 blue, generally surrounded by an involucrum. 



