ViOLALES.] 



SAMYDACE^. 



331 



linear pellucid dots, which distinguish them from all the other families with which they 

 are likely to be confounded. 



Samyds are all tropical and prmcipally American. Little is known of the African 

 or Asiatic species. 



The bark and leaves are said to be slightly astringent. In Brazil the leaves of Casearia 

 ulmifclia are applied to woxmds, and their juice is drnnk by the sick ; it is said to be 

 a most certain remedy against the bite of the most noxious serpents, and is called 

 Mai-maleiro do Mato. A decoction of the leaves of Casearia hngua, called by the 

 Brazilians Cha de Frade and Lingua de Fin, is also used internally in inflammatory dis- 

 orders and malignant fevers. Casearia astriugens bark is mucikghious and somewhat 

 acrid ; it is used in Brazil as a poultice or lotion for badly healed ulcers, and is said by 

 Martius to be wonderfully efficacious as a cleanser and stimulant of the raw flesh. 

 Casearia Ana\nnga, an Indian species, is bitter in all its parts ; the leaves are used in 

 medicated baths; the pulp of the fruit is very diuretic. The root of Casearia esculenta 

 is bitter and purgative ; but its foliage is eatable. 



GENERA. 



Samyda, Linn. 



Guidonia, Plum. 



Mongeziu, Fl. Flum. 

 Casearia, Jacq. 



Anthjona, Fl. Flum. 



Hexanthera, Endl. 



Anavinga, Rheed. 

 Iroucana, Aubl. 

 Lnngleia, Scop. 

 Athencea, Schreb. 

 Bedousia, Dennst. 



Pltwnba, Aubl. 

 Mt'listaurum, Forst. 

 Piparea, Aubl. 

 Chcetocrater , Ruiz et 

 Pay. 



Crateria, Pers. 



Lindkya, Kunth. 

 Eucersea, Mart. 

 Candelabria, Hochst. 

 ? Periclistia, Benth. 



Numbers. Gen. 5. Sp. 80. 



Homaliacece. 

 Position. — Passifloracese. — SAMYDACEie. — Flacourtiaceae. 



