698 



VALERIANACEiE. 



[Epigynous Exogens. 



Fig. CCCCLXX. 



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

 from 1 to 3. Fruit di-y, iudehiscent, with 1 fei-tile cell and 2 empty ones. Seed 



solitai'y, pendulous ; embryo 

 straight, destitute of albumen ; 

 radicle superior. 



Valerianworts are principally 

 distinguished from Teazelworts 

 by their want of albimien, and 

 usually by the absence of an 

 involucel *to each floret. They 

 have also but little tendency to 

 form a capitate uaflorescence ; 

 and a couple of additional 

 empty cells, frequently observ- 

 able in theu' ovary, indicates a 

 higher degree of composition in the central apparatus. M. Bvmge has observed 

 manifest traces of ovules in the two abortive cells of Patrinia ; the same author 

 considers Valerianworts connected \nth Caprifoils on the one hand by Triplostegia, 

 and on the other by Linneea. — Ann. Sc. ser. 2. v. 6. 60. 



They are natives of most temperate climates ; sometimes at considerable elevations. 

 They are abundant in the north of India, Em'ope, and South America, but imcommon 

 in Africa and North America. 



The roots of Valeriana officinalis, Phu, and celtica, are tonic, bitter, aromatic, anti- 

 spasmodic, and vermifugal ; they are even said to be febrifugal. They are strong- 

 smelling, especially in V. Dioscoridis, which, according to Sibthorp, is the real Phu of 

 Dioscorides, act as powerful stimulants, and produce a specific influence over the 

 cerebro-spinal system, bringing on, as is well kno\\Ti, a kind of intoxication in cats, and 

 in large doses occasioning in man scintillations, agitation, and even con\Tilsions. The 

 Russians regard the Valeriana sitchensis, a native of North-West America, as the most 

 energetic of all the species. The scent of these roots is not agreeable to a European ; 

 and yet some are highly esteemed as perfumes. Eastern nations procure from the 

 mountains of Austria the Valeriana celtica and Saliunca to aromatise their baths. 

 Theh' roots are gi^ubbed up with danger and difficulty by the peasants of Stj-ria and 

 Carinthia, from rocks on the borders of eternal snow, are tied in bundles and sold at a 

 very low price to merchants, who send them by way of Trieste to Turkey and Egypt, 

 where they are vended at a great profit, and passed onwards to the nations of India 

 and Ethiopia. — EncU. The Nardostachys Jatamansi, or time Spikenard of the ancients, 

 is valued in India, not only for its scent, but also as a remedy in hysteria and 

 epilepsy. The young leaves of the species of Valei'ianella are eaten as salad, under 

 the French name of Mache, or the Enghsh one of Lamb's Lettuce. Red Valerian 

 is also eaten in the same way iu Sicily. Astrephias are used as vulneraries in 

 Peru. See Royle, p. 242, for an elaborate dissertation upon the Nard of the ancients. 



GENERA. 



Patrinia, Juss. 



Gytananthus, Rafin. 



Fedia, Adans. 

 Nardostachys, DC. 

 Dufresnea, DC. 

 Valerianella, 3Iunch. 



Polypremum, Adans. 



Odontocarpa, Neck. 

 Astrephia, DC. 



Hemesotria, Rafin. 



Oligceoce, Willd. 

 Fedia, Monch. 



Mitrophora, Neck. 

 Plectritis, DC. 

 Centranthus, DC. 



Kentranthus, Neck. 

 Valeriana, Neck. 



Phyllactis, Pers. 



Aretiastrum, DC. 



Phu, DC. 

 Betckea, DC. 

 Triplostegia, Wall. 

 ? Axia, Lour. 



Numbers. Gen. 12. Sp. 185. 



Cajirifoliacece. 

 PosiTiox. — Asteracese. — Valerianace^. — Dipsacacese. 



Fig. CCCCLXX.— Valeriana celtica. 1. entire flower magnified; 2. the ovary and young calyx; 

 , the fruit, vdth the pappose full-grown calyx ; 4. a vertical section of fruit and seed. 



