194 



ORONTIACE^. 



[Endogens. 



high estimation, called Missebrced, m Lapland. This is perfonned by drying and 

 grinding the roots, afterwards boiling and macerating them till they are deprived of 

 their acrimony, when they ai*e baked hke other faruiaceous substances. The plant has 

 the credit of being a very active diaphoretic. The fruit of Scindapsus officinahs, cut 

 uito transverse pieces and dried, is an article of some importance in Hindoo Materia 

 Medica, is called Guj-pippul, and sold by the druggists under that name. — Roxh. 

 Pothos scandens is employed in India as a remedy for putrid fevers. The rhizome of 

 Acorus Calamus contains an aromatic bitter principle, which has caused the plant to be 

 regarded as medicinal. In cases of chronic catai'rh and humid asthma benefit has been 

 received from its exhibition. In Constantmople it is made into a confection, is consi- 

 dered a good stomachic, and eaten freely dmnng the prevalence of epidemic diseases. 

 It is in this country chiefly employed by perfumers, in the manufacture of hair powder, 

 on account of the fragrance of the essential oil which is mixed with its faruiaceous 

 substance. Dr. Pereira says, that although it is rarely employed in medicine, it might 

 frequently be substituted for other more costly aromatics ; it is adapted to cases of 

 dyspepsia, or as an adjunct to tonics or purgatives. 



GENERA. 



Tribe I. — Calleae. Flowers 

 imked. Ovules erect. 



Calla, Linn. 

 Monstera, Adans. 

 Heteropsts, Kth. 

 Scindapsus, Schott. 

 * Rhaphidophora, Hassk. 



Tribe II. — Orontieae. 

 Flowers with a regular 

 perianth. Leaves plane, 

 entire, palmate or pin- 

 nated. Ovules pendu- 

 lous. 



Pothos, Linn. 

 Lasia, Loureir. 



Anthurium, Schott. 

 Spathiphyllum, Schott. 

 Dracontium, Linn. 

 Symplocarpus, Salisb. 



Ictodes, Bigelow. 



Spathyema, Rafin. 

 Oroiitiuni,L«Jw. 



Tribe III. ~- Acorese. 

 Flowers with a regular 

 perianth. Leaves ensi- 

 form, equitant. Ovules 

 pendulous. 



Gymnostachys, R.Br. 

 Acorus, Li7in. 



Numbers. Gen. 13. Sp. 70. 



Pijyeracece. 

 Position. — Junoaceae. — Orontiace.e. — Liliacese 

 AracecB. 



