227 



Antirrhineae and Rhinanthaceae. Notwithstanding this almost universal assent 

 to the identity of the two orders of Jussieu, some separations have been made 

 upon different principles from those of that learned botanist. Thus Oroban- 

 cheae have been distinguished by himself; Gesnereae by Nees Von Esenbeck ; 

 and Melampyraceae by Richard. The two former are adqpted by botanists with- 

 out dissent ; the latter has not been so generally received. In my Synopsis I 

 admitted it, upon the ground of its definite ascending seeds and inverted embryo ; 

 but subsequent consideration has led me to think that by excluding from the 

 character all consideration of the number and direction of the seeds, a tribe 

 would be formed, agreeing in a peculiar habit, and in the radicle of the embryo 

 not being presented to the hilum, to which the name of Rhinanthaceaj might 

 conveniently be retained. Upon this view of the subject, Scrophularineae will 

 include no genus the embryo of which is not orthotropous, and in Rhinan- 

 thaceae it must be antitropous or heterotropous. For the distinctions of Gesne- 

 reae and Orobanchere, see those orders respectively. Scrophularineee agree 

 with Rhinanthaceae, Orobancheoe, Gesnereae, Bignoniaceae, Cyrtandraceae, 

 Verbenaceaj, Myoporinere, Selagineae, Pedalineae, Acanthaceaa, and Solanese, 

 in their ovarium being formed by the cohesion of two carpella, which stand fore 

 and aft with respect to the axis of inflorescence ; or, in other words, the back 

 of one is presented to the upper lip of the corolla, that part in which the fifth 

 stamen is abortive or rudimentary, and the back of the other to the middle lobe 

 of the lower Up between the two anterior stamens ; a curious arrangement, by 

 attending to which no difficulty can be found in recognising Gentianeae, which, 

 when out of flower, are exceedingly like. Scrophularineae differ from Bigno- 

 niaceae and Pedalineae in their habit and albuminous seeds ; from Solanese in 

 their diandrous or didynamous flowers, straight not curved embryo, and oppo- 

 site not alternate leaves ; from Verbenaceae and Myoporinese in their polysper- 

 mous fruit, which is usually dehiscent, or at least never drupaceous ; from 

 Selagineae in the same characters and their opposite leaves ; and from Acan- 

 thaceee in their flowers not being surrounded by imbricating bracteae, and in 

 the presence of albumen. Verbascum and Celsia, two genera usually referred 

 to Solaneae, are by some botanists placed here ; they, and Digitalis, which has 

 alternate leaves, form connecting links between the two orders. 



Geography. Found in abundance in all parts of the world, from the cold- 

 est regions in which the vegetation of flowering plants takes place, to the 

 hottest places within the tropics. One species is found in Melville Island ; in 

 middle Europe they form about a 26th of the flowering plants, and in North 

 America about a 36th. In all India, New Holland, and South America, they 

 are common, and, finally, the sterile shores of Terra del Fuego are ornamented 

 with several species. 



Properties. Generally acrid, bitterish, suspected plants. The leaves 

 and roots of Scrophularia aquatica, and perhaps nodosa, of Gratiola offici- 

 nalis and peruviana, and of Calceolaria, act as purgatives, or even as emetics. 

 In Digitalis, which is in many respects very near Solaneae, this quality is so 

 much increased, that its effects become highly dangerous. The powdered 

 leaves, or an extract of them, produce vomiting, dejection, and vertigo, increase 

 the secretion of the saliva and urine, lower the pulse, and even cause death. 

 Dec. According to Vauquelin, the purgative quality of Gratiola depends 

 upon the presence of a peculiar substance, analogous to resin, but differing in 

 being soluble in hot water. The leaves of Mimulus guttatus are eatable as 

 salad. The juice of the leaves of Torcnia asiatica are considered, on the Ma- 

 labar coast, a cure for gonorrhoea. Ainslie, 2. 122. An infusion of Scoparia 

 dulcis is used by the Indians of Spanish America to cure agues. Humboldt 

 Cinch, Forests, 22. Eng. Ed. 



