Geraniales.] 



OXALIDACE^. 



489 



however, fleshy roots, quite free from acidity, and abounding in a matter analogous to 

 that of salep : these roots are as large as small Parsnips, and are becoming esteemed for 

 culinary purposes. The species called Oxalis crassicaulis, tetraphylla, and esculeuta, 

 ai'e reported to possess similar good quaHties. Some bitterness has l)een remarked in 

 Oxalis sensitiva, whose leaves are said to be tonic and slightly stimulating. Hugonia 

 Mystax too, an anomalous species of the Order, is of a like nature, but in a more 

 marked degree ; its root smells like violets, and is said to be diuretic, diaphoretic, and 

 anthelmintic. In cei'tain species an irritability of so marked a kind has been found 

 as to cause them to be classed among Sensitive Plants. Averrhoa Bilimbi and Oxalis 

 sensitiva are the most remarkable ; but the same irritabihty has been observed by 

 Professor Morren in the European OxaUs stricta. — A7in. Sc. n. s. xiv. 330. 



Oxalis, Linn. 



Biophytum, DC. 

 Averrhoa, Linn. 



Bilimbi, Endl. 



Carambola, Endl. 



GENERA. 



Ledocarpum, Desf. 

 Balbisia, Cav. 

 Criickshanksia, Hook, 

 Cistocarpum, Kunth. 



Numbers. Gen. 6. Sp. 32,: 



Wendtia, Meyen. 



Martinieria, Guillem. 

 Hugonia, L. 

 Rhynchotheca, R. et P. 



Position. — Linacese. — Oxalidace^e. — Geraniacese. 



Zy(/ophyllace(B. 



