ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY 



171 



Dogbanes and Lo^aniads. 



"" cells. 



axis. That of the cells of the fruit with respect to the axis varies among Loganiads, as dues 

 the aestivation of the corolla and many other characters. The grains of pollen are not very dif- 

 ferent, if we rely upon the exact but scanty observations of Mr. Hassall. The placentas of 

 Dogbanes are more securely fastened to the edges of the carpillary leaves^ and do not separate 

 from them when the fruit is ripe, as generally happens more or less distinctly among Loganiads ; 

 but the placenta of Strychnos is exactly that of Carissa. Dogbanes have a milky juice ; but 

 exceptions to that are said to occur, as in Echites, for instance. Finally, the only differences 

 which I can point out are of a particular kind, not very satisfactory in practice, although of 

 some value in botanical philosophy. These reside in the nature of the variations presented by 



"In the former the flowers are always isomerous in the calyx, corolla, 

 and stamens, and the number is never more than 5 ; in the latter the corolla and stamens have 

 sometimes more pieces than the calyx, as in Potalia; the stamens are sometimes reduced to one, 

 as in listeria. The stamens of Dogbanes always alternate with the lobes of the corolla ; those 

 of Loganiads vary more or less from this position, and become opposite in Potaha. In Dogbanes, 

 the number 2 in the carpel is without exception ; in Loganiads, one genus, Labordia, has 



In Dogbanes, the aestivation of the corolla is always twisted, except in Mascarenhasia, 

 where it is enduplicato-valvate with a torsion of the back of each lobe, which indicates the 

 tendency of the order ; in Loganiads the aestivation is very variable, and is often valvate in the 

 strictest acceptation of the term. — Dogbanes often have hypogynous glands or a complete disk ; 

 Loganiads have not a trace of either. The first have often appendages inside the corolla ; the 

 second never have any, unless we go consider the hairs which guard the orifice. The stigma 

 is often of considerable size, and bears a peculiar kind of gland in Dogbanes ; Loganiads have 

 no such appearances.*" *^This last is the true distinguishing character.*" Lindley. 



The tribe SpigeMecE differs considerably in habit from the rest of the order, fluctuating 

 between HeyotidecB of Cinchonacece and Gentianece. Most Botanists seem to think it most 

 nearly allied to the latter, and have described its genera under that order, but Griesbach is dis- 

 posed to take the opposite view, thinking them more allied to the former. 



Geographical Distribution. Tropical or sub-tropical plants, a few only of the herbace- 

 ous forms extending to any considerable distance beyond. Wallich found a Gardneria ia 

 Nepal, and another is found at an elevation of between 6,000 and 7,000 feet on the Neil- 

 gherries, but these may almost be viewed as exceptions to the general rule. In Malacca, 

 Mr. Griffith found a species of Antonia. Both the other species are from Brazil. 



Uses. These are of the most active and energetic description, more 

 especially numerous species of Strychnos, which, in any but the smallest doses, are intensely 

 poisonous, producing violent spasms and convulsions of the voluntary muscles. This last ;pro- 

 perty has been taken advantage of in the case of S. nuw vomica, the alkaloid of which (Strich- 

 nine) is frequently administered in paralytic affections, but on account of the intensity of its action 

 always with some degree of risk. Of the other species, S. Tieute and tooolfera merit especial 

 notice on account of their frightfully venomous qualities. From the roots of the former a 

 very potent poison is extracted in Java, and from the latter, the not less destructive Wooraly ox 

 Ourari poison of South America. Dr. Hancock considers this last the most powerful sedative 

 in nature. The wood of the S. niuv vomica, particularly that of the root, is very bitter, and 

 is used in the cure of intermittent fevers and the bites of venomous snakes ; and Dr. Heming 

 informs us that in upper India distillers occasionally introduce the seed to render their spirits 

 niore intoxicating. It seems curious that the pulp of the fruit of this tree,^ everywhere else so 

 poisonous and destructive of animal life, should seem innocuous, at least to birds, many ot which 

 <3evour it greedily. The seed of Strychnos potatorum (clearing nut), are everywhere employed to 

 clear muddy water which they effect by merely rubbing the inside of the vessel with them. It is 

 difficult to account for their modus operandi, but their possession of this property is everywhere 

 admitted. Nothing seems known of the properties of the other Indian species nf f hi« ord^r. 



P 



AND 



Remarks on Genera and Species. 



;arcls its structural 

 clearly explaining 



