406 



HYPERICACEyE. 



[Hypogynous Exogens. 



Parnassia, whose fringed glands can scarcely be doubted to represent phalanges of ste- 

 rile stamens, and consequently, indicate a tendency to the production of an indefinite 

 number of polyadelphous stamens, which is one of the chai'acteristics of Tutsans. If in- 

 deed the seeds of Parnassia were really parietal, as they are described to be, that would 

 be a reason for removing it to some other place : but its exalbuminous seeds forbid its 

 being stationed among Sundews, and it has nothing in common with Saxifrages except 

 its habit. I believe, however, that in Parnassia, as in Hypericum, the placentce are 

 truly axile and projected into the cavities of the ovary, which closes over them and ad- 

 heres to them ; and it is certain that the petals are in some species very unequal-sided, 

 wliile the anthers of others are tipped by the glands of Tutsans, and the petals them- 

 selves, if they have not projecting glands possess immersed glands, in no inconsiderable 

 quantity. 



Tutsans are very generally spread over the sm*face of the earth, inliabiting mountains 

 and valleys, marshes and dry plains, meadows and heaths. The following is the 

 distribution of the species, according to Choisy : — Em'ope, 19 ; North America, 41 ; 

 South America, 21 ; West Indies, 1 ; Asia, 24 ; New Holland, 5 ; Africa and the 

 neighbom'ing islands, 7 ; Azores and Canaries, 5 ; common to Europe and Asia, 4 ; 

 common to Em'ope, Asia, and Africa, 1. — Choisy Prodr. 1821. Many have, however, 

 to be added for Asia and South America. 



The juice of many is slightly purgative and febrifugal. In the European species this 

 yellow juice is in small proportion to the essential oil, and the rest of the vegetable 

 matter, and they have been used as tonics and astringents ; especially H. perforatum, 

 (affKvpov,) and Andi'ossemum officinale. Some of the American species are possessed 

 of a more copious yellow juice, and more energetic properties ; that obtained from 

 Vismia guianensis, a Mexican and Surinam tree, is known in commerce and called 

 American Gummi Gutta. So also the Vismias micrantha and laccifei^a yield red sticks 

 of a di'astic gum-resin analogous to gamboge. — Martius. Hypericum hh'cinum is 

 foetid. A gargle for sore throats is prepared in Brazil from the Hj^ericuni connatum, 

 commonly called Orellia de Gato. A decoction of the leaves of another species, 

 Hypericum laxiusculum, or AUecrim brabo, is reputed in the same coimtry to be a 

 specific against the bites of serpents. The United States people prepare a stomachic 

 tmcture from Elodea virginica. Cratoxylon Homschuchia is shghtly astringent and 

 diuretic. 



GENERA. 



I. Hyperices:. — No 

 glands between the 

 stamens. 



Ascymm, Linn. 



Isophyllum, Spach. 

 Hypericum, Linn. 



Eremosporus , Spach, 



Brosanthe, Spach. 



Webbia, Spach. 



Holosepalum, Spach. 



Millepoi'tun, Spach. 



Adenosepalum, Spach. 



Drosocarpium, Spach. 



Coridium, Spach. 

 Crossophyllum, Spach. 

 Olympia, Spach. 

 Campylopus, Spach. 

 Psorophytum, Spach. 

 Androscemum, AUion. 

 Eremanthe, Spach. 

 Campylosporus, Spach. 

 Norysca, Spach. 

 Roscyna, Spach. 

 3Iyriandra, Spach. 

 Brathydium, Spach. 

 Brathys, Mut. 



Rcceveura, Fl. Flum. 



Sarothra, Linn. 

 Eucryphia, Cav. 

 Carpodontos, Lab. 



II. Elodea. — Glands 

 alternating with the 

 bundles of stamens. 



Parnassia, L. 

 Elodea, Adans. 



Martia, Spreng. 



Triadenia, Spach. 

 Vismia, Velloz. 



Coapia, Piso. 

 Psorospermum, Spach. 

 Haronga, Thouars. 



Harongana, Lam. 



Arotigana, Pers. 



Htemocarpus, Noronh . 

 Eliaea, Cambess. 



Cussonia, Commers. 



Lanigerostemma, Chj)!. 

 Ancistrolobus, Spach. 

 Tridesmis, Spach. 

 Cratoxylon, Blum. 



Homschuchia, Blum. 



Numbers. Gen. 13. Sp. 276. 



Saxifragacew. 

 PosiTi ON . — Clusiacese . — H y peri c ace^. — Reaumuriacese. 



