494 



GERANIACEiE. 



[Hypogynous Exooens. 



half-ripe, when the embryo first appears m the albumen as a pale green line. At that 

 time the carpels may be taken away from the ovules, leaving the latter adhering to a 

 central placenta, and this may be done without at all disturbing or tearing the margin 

 of the carpellary leaves. The suspended position of the seed has been given as a general 

 character of Cranesbills ; but the position of the ovules varies according to species in 

 the genera Erodium and Geranium ; and in consequence of the inequaUty of growth the 

 seed is always ascending in the capsule. 



The species are very unequally distributed over various parts of the world. A great 

 proportion is fovmd at the Cape of Good Hope, chiefly of the genus Pelargonium ; 

 Erodium and Geranium are principally natives of Em'ope, North America, and North- 

 ern Asia. It is worthy of remark that Pelargonium is found in New Holland. 



An astringent principle and an aromatic or resinous flavour are the characteristics of 

 this Order. The stem of Monsonia spinosa burns like a torch, and gives out an agree- 

 able odour. In North Wales Geranium Robertianum has acquired celebrity as a 

 remedy for nepliritic complaints. The root of Geranium maculatum, or Alum-root, is 

 a most powerful astringent, containing considerably more tannin than Kino. According 

 to Bigelow, it is particularly suited to the treatment of such diseases as continue from 

 debility after the removal of their exciting cause. The tincture is an excellent local 

 application in sore throat and ulcerations of the mouth. Many others have a similar 

 reputation, but are not used in modern medicine, especially species of the genus Erodium, 

 among which E. moschatum is more especially remarkable for its powerful smell of 

 musk. The Pelargoniums are chiefly noted for their beautiful flowers, but they, too, 

 are astringents. P. antidysentericum is used as a remedy for diarrhoea among the Na- 

 maquas. One of the species with tuberous roots, of wliich many ai'e known at the Cape 

 of Good Hope, namely, P. triste, is eatable, and Mr. Backhouse speaks of the fleshy 

 tubers of Geranium parviflorum being eaten by the natives of Van Diemens Land, 

 where it is called the Native Carrot. 



GENERA. 



Erodium, Herit. 



Scolopacium, Eckl. et 

 Zeyh. 

 Geranium, Herit. 

 Monsonia, Li7i)i. /. 



Odontopetalum, DC. 



Holopelalum, DC. 



Sarcocaulon, DC. 

 Pelargonium, Herit, 

 Hoarea, Sweet. 

 Dimacria, Sweet. 

 Cyyiosbata, DC. 

 Peristera, DC. 

 Otidia, Sweet. 



Polyactium, DC. 

 Isopetalum, Sweet. 

 Campylia, Sweet. 

 Phymatanthus, Sweet. 

 Myrrhidium, DC. 

 Jenkinsonia, Sweet. 



Chorisma, Sweet. 

 Ciconium, Sweet. 

 Cortusina, Eckl. 

 Eumorpha ,^c^. 

 Calliopsis, Sweet. 

 Anisopetalum, DC. 



Numbers. Gen. 4. Sp. about 500. 

 (After deductmg the hybrids introduced by De CandoUe.) 



TropeeolacecB. 

 PosiTiox. — Balsaminaceae. — Geraniace^. — Oxalidaceae. 



Fig. CCCXXXIX. 



Fig. CCCXXXIX.— Diagram of the flower of Geranium Robertianum. 



