194 



" M. Auguste Saint Hilaire, in his excellent memoir on Primulaceae, while 

 he admits the correctness of M. Decandolle's account with respect to great 

 part of Dipsacere, has at the same time well observed, that in several species 

 of Scabiosa the ovarium is entirely united with the tube of the calyx. But 

 neither of these authors has remarked the curious, and I believe pecuhar, cir- 

 cumstance, of the base of the style cohering with.the narrow apex of the tube 

 of the calyx, even in those species of the order in which the dilated part of the 

 tube is entirely distinct from the ovarium. This kind of partial cohesion be- 

 tween pistillum and calyx is directly opposite to what usually takes place, 

 namely, the base of the ovarium being coherent, while its upper is distinct. It 

 equally, however, determines the apparent origin or insertion of corolla and 

 stamina, producing the unexpected combination of ' flos auperus' with ovarium 

 'liberum.'" Linn. Trans. 12. 138. 



Geography. Chiefly natives of the south of Europe, Barbary, the Levant, 

 and the Cape of Good Hope ; not affecting particular stations in any striking 

 degree, except that they generally shun cold, and do not attain much eleva- 

 tion above the sea. Coulter. 



Properties. Unimportant. The Teasel used by fullers in dressing cloth 

 is the dried head of Dipsacus fullonum. Some of them are reputed febrifugal. 

 Scabiosa succisa is said to yield a green dye, and also to be astringent enough 

 to deserve the attention of tanners. Ghnel. Fl. Bad. 1. 319. 



Examples. Dipsacus, Scabiosa, Knautia. 



CLXXXV. VALERIANE.E. The Valerian Tribe. 



Valerianeje, Dec. Fl. Fr. ed. 3. v. 4. p. 232. (1815); Dufr. Valcr. Monogr. 56. (1811); Ldndl. 

 Si/nops. 137. (1829). [Dec. Prod. 4. 623. (1830).] 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with an inferior 1-celled ovarium, 

 distinct stamens, and exalbuminous pendulous seeds. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx superior; the limb either membranous, or resembling 1 

 pappus. Corolla monopetalous, tubular, inserted into the top of the ovarium, with from 3 to 

 6 lobes, cither regular or irregular, sometimes calcarate at the base. Stamens from 1 to 5, 

 inserted into the tube of the corolla, and alternate with its lobes. Ovarium inferior, with 1 

 cell, and sometimes 2 other abortive ones ; ovulum solitary, pendulous ; style simple , stigmas 

 from 1 to 3. Fruit dry, indehiscent, with 1 fertile cell and 2 empty ones. Seed solitary, 

 pendulous; embryo straight, destitute of albumen; radicle superior. — Herbs. Leaves opposite, 

 without stipukc. Flowers corymbose, panicled, or in heads. 



Affinities. Distinguished from Dipsacea^ by their flowers not being in 

 heads, by the want of albumen, by sensible properties, and the absence of an 

 involucellum. 



Geography. Natives of most temperate climates ; sometimes at consider- 

 able elevations. They are abundant in the north of India, Europe, and South 

 America, but uncommon in Africa and North America. 



Properties. The roots of Valeriana officinalis, Phu, and celtica, are tonic, 

 bitter, aromatic, antispasmodic, and vermifugal ; they are even said to be feb- 

 rifugal. The scent of these roots is not agreeable to a European ; and yet 

 those of some species are highly esteemed as perfumes. Eastern nations pro- 

 cure from the mountains of Austria the Valeriana celtica to aromatize their 

 baths ; the V. Jatamansi, or true Spikenard of the ancients, is valued in India, 

 not only for its scent, but also as a remedy in hysteria and epilepsy. The 



