438 



BERBERIDACE^. 



[Hypogvnous Exogens. 



Among the conflicting opinions of Botanists who have referred these plants to many 

 different places, it appears clear that they are in fact alUed, as Auguste de St. HUaire 

 affirmed, to Vuaes, with which they so nearly agree in fructification that if a Berberry 

 had two consolidated carpels and anthers opening longitudmally it would be almost a Vine. 

 While, however, the Bei'berry itself touches the Vine, some plants of its family show a 

 very different tendency, and are so organised as to resemble very nearly the Fumeworts ; 

 these are the Sub-order Nandineae, in which Epimedium has all the habit and much of 

 the structure of a Fumaria. Some Botanists fancy that Podophyllum should stand here: 

 but the main distinction between Berberids and Crowfoots consists in the recurved anther- 

 valves of the former, and as Podophyllum has not such valves, it must go to Crowfoots. 

 In the singular structure of their anthers there is a striking analogy with Laurels, Plume 

 Nutmegs ( Atherospermaceee), and Witch Hazels, Orders not otherwise akin to Bei'ber- 

 ids. Cavdophyllum thalictroides offers one of the few instances of seeds being absolutely 

 naked, that is to say, not covered by any mtegument originating in the pericarp. In 

 this plant the ovary is ruptvu'ed at an early stage by the expansion of the ovule, which, 

 having been impregnated, contmues to grow, and ultimately ai'rives at maturity, 

 although deprived of its pei-icarpial covermg. The spines of the common Berberry are 

 a curious state of leaf, m which the parenchyma is absorbed, and the ribs are indurated. 

 They, as well as all the simple leaves of the other species, are articulated with the pe- 

 tiole, and are therefore compound leaves reduced to a single leaflet ; wherefore the sup- 

 posed genus Mahonia does not differ essentially from Berberis in foliage any more than 

 in fructification. Berberids are related to Anonads through the genus Bocagea ; and 

 their ovary is described as being sometimes strikingly hke that of DavLlla in Dilleniads. 

 Some of the pinnated species of Berberis have stipules. 



Natives of mountainous places in the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere, 

 and of South America as far as the Sti'aits of Magellan ; none in Africa, Australasia, 

 or the South Sea Islands. They are very common in the northern pi'ovinces of India. 



The berries of Berberis vulgaris and other species are acid and astringent, and form 

 with sugar an agreeable refreshing preserve. Theu" acid is the oxalic (malic, Royle.) 

 The stem and bark of the Berberry are excessively astrmgent, and are employed for 

 that reason by dyers, who also obtain from them a bright yellow colour. Dr. Royle has 

 ascertained that the Xvkiov ivZlkov of Dioscorides was a Berberry ; to this day an ex- 

 tract of the root, stem, and branches of Indian Berberries is employed in cases of ophthal- 

 mia, and it is said with great advantage. The fruits of B. asiatica are dried in the sun 

 like raisins. The somewhat bitter leaves of Epimedium alpinum were formerly regarded 

 as sudorific and alexipharmic ; the same properties are ascribed to the roots of Caulo- 

 phyllum thalictroides, whose seeds have been employed as a substitute for Coffee. The 

 leaves of Bongardia Chrysogonum are eaten in the East like Sorrel. The root of Leon- 

 tice Leontopetalum is used at Aleppo as a substitute for soap ; and is regarded by the 

 Turks as a corrective of overdoses of Opium. The tubers of Bongardia Rauwolfii are 

 eaten, both boiled and roasted, in Persia. 



GENERA. 



\ 1. Berberidk.e. 



Berberis, L. 



Mahonia, Nutt. 

 Odestema, Raf. 



§ 2. Nandine.e. 



Epimedium, L. 

 Nandina, Thunb. 

 Leontice, L. 

 Leontopetalum, Tourn, 



Achlys, DC. 

 Caulophyllum, Michx. 

 Diphylleja, Michx. 

 Jeffersonia, Bart. 



Croomia, Torrey. 

 Aceranthus, Morrcn. 

 Vancouveria, Morren. 

 Bongardia, Meyer. 



Numbers. Gen. 12. Sp. 10. 



Position. — Fumariacese.- 



Araliacece. 

 -Berberibace.*;. — Vitaceae. 

 Ranunculacece. 



