ViOLALES.] MORINGACE^. 337 



\vith the Leguminous stinictiirc as it appears to be if it should bo proved that sutural 

 and parietal placentation are of the same nature, which seems to be the fact ; but, con- 

 nected as it is with the other points of diffei'ence, and considering that it is parietal placen- 

 tation in excess, it appears to be of considei'able moment. Tliis has always led me to 

 regard the iMoringads as a member of some great parietal Alliance, and as claimants of a 

 nearer affinity with Violetworts than with any other Order ; and to this opinion I 

 adhei-e, for the following reasons ; the stamens are definite in number, the corolla is 

 manifestly irregular, the placentation is parietal, and the flowers are not isomeric, the 

 parts of the fniit being 3, while those of the calyx, corolla, and stamens are 5. The 

 mam objection to this view is derived from the stamens beuig perigynous ; and it will 

 be seen from the altered arrangements introduced into the present volume, that I now 

 attach much more importance to that circumstance than formerly. But it must be 

 remembered that Moringa is not at all more perigynous than Verrucularia and others 

 among JNIalpighiads, or than Reseda among the Crucifcrs, or than Escholtzia among 

 Poppyworts ; and that, in fact, it may be very well regarded as standing m the same 

 relation to Violetworts as Escholtzia to Poppyworts. While, however, the parietal pla- 

 centation seems to turn the scale in favour of the near affinity of Moringads to Violet- 

 worts, there can be little doubt that they also approach the anisomerous Sapindal Alliance, 

 especially Milkworts, in theii' declinate stamens, 1 -celled anthers, and petaloid calyx. 



The species are natives of the East Indies and Arabia. 



The root of the Moringa pterygospeinna has a pmigent odom', with a warm, biting, 

 and somewhat aromatic taste, very like Horseradish ; it is used as a stimulant in paralytic 

 affections and intermittent fever ; it is also employed as a inibefacient. Dr. Wight 

 suggests that it would greatly mcrease the activity of sinapisms. He adds that a large 

 quantity of gum, resembling Tragacanth, exudes from womids m the bark. The seeds of 

 this plant, called by the French Pois Queniques and Chicot, have been used in venereal 

 affections. They are the Ben-nuts of old writers, from which the oil of Ben was extracted, 

 formerly more famed than at present. It is chiefly used by perfumers as the basis of 

 various scents, and by watchmakers, because it does not readily freeze. The flowers, 

 leaves, and tender seed-vessels, are eaten by the natives of India in their curries. 



GENERA. 



Moringa, Burm. I Anoma, Lour. i Alandina, 'Neck. 



Hyperanthera, Forsk. | Hypelate, Smith. | Balanus, Endl. 



Numbers. Gen. 1. Sp. 4. 



Fahacece. 



Position. Moringace^. — Violacete. 



Polygalacea:. 



