CiSTALES.] 



BRASSICACEyE. 



353 



calyx imbricated in aestivation ; but BrowTi has noticed (BenJiam, p. 7.) that in Sa- 

 vngnya and Ricotia it is valvate. 



Linnteus diWded the Order, which is the same as his Tetradynamia, by the form of 

 the fruit, under two heads, bearing the names of Sihquosa and Siliculosa. More 

 I'ecently divisions liave been founded upon the nature of the plicature of the cotyledons 

 and the position of the radicle with respect to them. It is difficult to say what degree 

 of importance really deserves to be attached to these characters, which are however at 

 present in general use. — See Torrey in Ann. Lye. N. Yorl-, iv. 90. 



This is an Order eminently European ; 166 species are found in northern and middle 

 Europe, and 178 on the northern shore or islands of the Mediterranean ; 45 are 

 peculiar to the coast of Africa, between Mogador and Alexandria ; 1 84 to Syria, Asia 

 Minor, Tam-ia, and Persia ; 99 to Siberia ; 35 to Chma, Japan, or India ; 16 to New 

 Holland and the South Sea Islands ; 6 to the Isle of France and the neighbouring 

 Islands ; 70 to the Cape of Good Hope ; 9 to the Canaries or Madeira ; 2 to St. Helena ; 

 2 to the West Indies ; 41 to South America ; 48 to North America ; 5 to the islands 

 between North America and Kamtchatka ; and 35 are common to various parts of the 

 world. This being their general geographical distribution, it appears that, exclusive of 

 species that are uncertain, or common to several different countries, about 100 are 

 found in the southern hemisphere, and about 800 in the northern, or 91 in the New, and 

 the rest in the Old World. Finally, if we consider them with regard to temperature, we 

 shall find that there are, — 



In the frigid zone of the northern hemisphere . . . 

 In aU the tropics (and chiefly in mountainous regions) 



In the temperate zone J ^"j J^ northern hemisphere 

 ^ [ oi the southern ditto . . 



548 

 86 



}■ 



205 

 30 



634 



Such were the calculations of De CandoUe in 1821. Although requiring considerable 

 modification, especially in the Asiatic and North American numbers, which are much 

 too low, they serve to give a general idea of the manner in which this Order is 

 dispersed over the globe. 



The universal character of Crucifers is to possess antiscorbutic and stimulant 

 qualities, combined with an acrid flavour. The officinal species are among the 

 commonest of all plants, and only requu'e to be named. They are found to contain a 

 great deal of nitrogen, to which it is supposed is due their animal odovir when rotting. 

 Mustard, Cress, Horseradish, and many others, are extremely stimulating and acrid. 

 The seeds of Sinapis chinensis are considered by Hindoo and Mahometan practitioners 

 as stimulant, stomachic, and laxative. The seeds of one species of Arabis (chinensis, 

 Rottler) are prescribed by the Indian doctors as stomachic and gently stimulant ; but 

 they apprehend its bringing on abortion if imprudently given. When the acrid flavour 

 is dispersed among an abundance of mucilage, various parts of these plants become a 

 wholesome food ; such as the root of the Radish and the Turnip, the herbage of the 

 Water-cress, the Cabbage, 

 and the Sea-kale. Accord- 

 ing to Muller the Water- 

 cress contains iodme. 

 Sulphur exists m the oils 

 of Mustard and Horse- 

 radish to the extent of 

 about 30 per cent. — Ch. 

 6^(2. 1843, p. 674. The oil 

 of the seeds is one of theii' 

 more important products. 

 That from Rape is in 

 very general use, and the 

 residue, rich in nitrogen, 

 is largely employed by the 

 farmer as manure, or cattle 

 feed, under the name of 

 Oil-cake. Another of the 

 oil plants is Camelina 

 sativa, or Gold of Pleasure ; but its cake is said to be too acrid for cattle, {Gardeners^ 

 Chronicle, 1843, p. 678 ;) brooms are made from the dry haulm. Cochlearia officinahs, 

 or Scurvy-gi'ass was once in great repute as an antiscorbutic. It is stimulant and 

 diuretic if eaten fresh, but becomes mert when dried. Cardamine pratensis is said to 



Fig. CCXLV. 



Fig. CCXLV.— Anastatica hierochuntina. 

 A A 



