634 CUSCUTACE.'E. [Perigynous Exogens. 



Bindweeds, but he admits that under the name of Cuseuta are included species with a 

 very variable structm-e, and wMch might constitute genera ; and he adds that they might 

 have a claim to be regarded as a peculiar Order if as many as 200 species were known, 

 uistead of 50. 



These parasites are found in the temperate parts of both hemispheres, twining round 

 the branches of plants and sometimes producing great destruction among crops. They 

 do not appear to occm* much ia the tropics, where their place is perhaps taken by 

 Cassyths. Mr. Griffith speaks of a gigantic species in Affghanistan, which even preys 

 upon itself ; one of its masses half covered a Willow tree 20 or 30 feet liigh. 



Theu' herbage is acrid, and was formerly used as a pvirgative. Cuseuta racemosa and 

 another or two, called Sipo de Chumbo, are articles of Brazilian pharmacy. The juice 

 of the fresh plant is prescribed in sub-inflammatory complaints, hoarseness, and spitting 

 of blood. The powder of the dried plant is strewed on fresh wounds, the healing of which 

 it is said much to promote. 



GENERA. , 



Cuseuta, Tourn. 



Ch-ammica, Lour. 

 Lepidanche, Eiigelm. 



Numbers. Gen. 2 ? Sp. 50. 



Position. Cuscutace-e. — Convolvulaceee. 



CassythacecB. 



