214 



other hand, to certain Apocyneae. From Scrophularineae it is frequently 

 difficult to distinguish this order, especially if the flowers are absent ; Loga- 

 nieas and Spigeliaceas are also very closely allied. For remarks on the three 

 last, see those orders respectively. Von Martius, however, points out some 

 differences between Gentianeae and Scrophularineae, and their allies, which will 

 further assist in distinguishing them. No Gentianeae, except Taenia, have a 

 hypogynous disk ; and the two carpellary leaves of which the fruit is formed 

 are lateral, or right and left with respect to the common axis of the inflorescence, 

 their placental being consequently anterior and posterior; but in Scrophularineae, 

 Gesnere33, Bignoniaceas, Acanthacere, and their allies, a hypogynous disk is very 

 common in the shape of a fleshy ring, or of glands, or teeth, and the two carpel- 

 lary leaves are anterior and posterior, the dissepiment being consequently in the 

 same transverse line as separates the upper from the lower lip. Menyanthes 

 and Villarsia are probably the type of a small order distinguished by their alter- 

 nate and sometimes compound toothed leaves, the characters of which are still 

 to trace. Von Martius excludes them absolutely ; Mr. Brown places them at 

 the end of the order, along with Anopterus, which seems to be distinct both 

 from Gentianeae and Menyanthes ; it will be seen, further on, that their pro- 

 perties are absolutely the same as those of Gentianeae. 



Geography. A numerous order of herbaceous plants, extending over 

 almost all parts of the world, from the regions of perpetual snow upon the sum- 

 mits of the mountains of Europe, to the hottest sands of South America and 

 India. They, however, do not appear in the Flora of Melville Island ; but they 

 form part of that of the Straits of Magellan. 



Properties. The intense bitterness of the Gentian is a characteristic of 

 the whole order ; it resides both in their stems and roots, and renders them tonic, 

 stomachic, and febrifugal ; and it is very remarkable that there are no excep- 

 tions to these properties in the whole order, as it is now limited. The principal 

 enumerated by Decandolle are, Gentiana lutea, employed in France and Eng- 

 land ; G. rubra, substituted for it in Germany ; G. purpurea in Norway ; G. 

 amarella, campestris, cruciata, Chlora perfoliata, G. peruviana, called Cachen 

 in Peru, G. Chirita, the famous stomachic of the East Indies, and Coutoubea 

 alba and purpurea. The root of Gentiana lutea, notwithstanding its bitterness, 

 contains a considerable proportion of sugar : it is, on this account, sometimes 

 manufactured into brandy, for which purpose it is exported from some parts of 

 Switzerland. Menyanthes trifoliata and Villarsia nymphoides are bitter, tonic, 

 and febrifugal ; and the same has been remarked of Villarsia ovata. Essai 

 JVfed. 216. Sabbatia angularis is held in estimation in North America for its 

 pure bitter, tonic, and stomachic virtues. Barton, 1. 259. The root of Fra- 

 zera Walteri is a pure, powerful, and excellent bitter, destitute of aroma. It is 

 accounted in North America not inferior to the Gentian or Columbo of their 

 shops. Inks recent state it is said to possess considerable emetic and earthar- 

 tic powers. Ibid. 2. 109. The roots of Lisianthus pendulus are used by the 

 Brazilians in decoction as a febrifuge : they are intensely bitter. Tachia guia- 

 nensis exudes little yellow drops of pellucid resin from the axillae of the leaves ; 

 its bitter root is used as a febrifuge. Von JVLarlius. 



Examples. Gentiana, Chironia, Sabbatia, Coutoubea. 



