UilBELLIFERJE. FICOIDE.E. 439 



Grecs, CO qui est petit," and adds a varioty of curious superstitions, -wliicli need not 

 be reproduced here. One of its reputed virtues was as a pliiltre or lovc-cliarm, whence 

 the popular saying " Maudite sorciere ! elle in'a donue lo cumin, ct jc no puis plus 

 m'en delivrer." 



This Order yields many plants useful to man, and some vii-ulcnt poison. Among 

 the former may be enumerated Celery [Ajiiiim ffniiYo/ms), Parsley {I'c f rose/ inn m 

 sativuni), Caraway [Carum Carvi), Aniseed {Pimpincl/a ani-tiiM), Skirrcts, Water 

 parsnips (<S«/wi i\^(«s! and Sixarum), Fennel {Fcrnicu/um rulffarc), Samphire (O/vVA/hkwj 

 maritimuin), Bastard Fennel {Anethum (/rareolt/is), I'arsuip (^PiifitiiKica olcracea), Cumin 

 [Cuminum cyminuni), Carrots {Daucus carota), Sweet Cicely {Jfi/rrhis odorata), Chervil 

 {Antlirisms crrcfoUuni), Coriander {Voriandntm sat/rum); and amoug poisonous plants 

 Water hemlock ( Cirtifaria eirosa). Lesser hendock or Fool's parsley {yEthmia cijiiapium), 

 Lovage or Mountain hemlock {Leristicum ojficiiialc), and TTemlock ( Coniuin niacuhitidn). 

 A strong-smelling resin (Assafwtida)' is also produced by some Persian or Western 

 Thibetan umbelliferous plant allied to Ferula, and is in great esteem in the East as a 

 condiment — and is not disagreeable to many Europeans if used spaiingly — else the 

 bon rirant may incur the fate with wliich Maecenas was threatened if he touched 

 garlick — 



" At, si quid unquam tale concupiveris 

 Jocose Maecenas, precor 

 Manum puella savio opponat tuo, 

 Extrema ct iu spoudii cubet." 



FICOIDALES. 

 Flowers regular or sub-regular. Orurij syncarpons, Inferior, semi-inferior, or 

 superior, 1-celled, with parietal placentas, or 2- to niauy-celled, with basilar or axile 

 placentas. Embryo albuminous and curved, or cyclical, or exalbuminous and oblique. 



Order FICOIDE^. 



Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual. Cah/x-lohes 4-5. Pelals many, or small, 

 or none. Utamens few or none. Orarij 2- to many-celled. Styles free or connate. 

 Leaves quite entire. Herbs or under shrubs. 



AIZOIDIE.r.. 

 Calyx free, but xcith a (lisfinct turbinate tube beuriny the stamens at or below the 

 summit. Fruit a capsule, circumsciss. Leaves opposite. 



Sesuvium, LinHccus. 



Stamens 5 to many. Ovary 3-.5-eellcd, with axillary many-ovuled placentas. 



S. POKTCLACASiRUii, L. Tidal jungl(>s of Pegu, Tenasscrim, 



aiid tlie Audamans. 



TuiANTiiKMA, Linnwus. 

 Stamens 5 or 10, or many. Ovary 1-2-cened, with basilar 1- or many-ovulod 

 placentas. 



* Ovary and capsule 2-eelled. Styles 2. 

 T. DECAxnEA, L. Ava. 



Flowers clustered. Stamens 10 or 11. Ovary -I-ovuled. 



•x-i.- Ovary and capsule 1-celled. Style I. 

 T. OBCOEDATA, lloxb. llubbishy spots near Akyab. 



' For an account of the jiroiluction of Assafwtida, consult ' Afgliaiustan aud its People,' bv II. 

 W. Bellew, p. 270. 



