28o 



E UP II ORB J A CE.Ii.. 



[chap. 



Observe the leaves disposed along the twigs in two rows, 

 so that the latter resemble long pinnate leaves: the two- 

 ovuled cells of the ovary, as in Cicca, common in gardens, 

 cultivated for the sake of its succulent fruit, which is eaten 

 or made up in preserves. 



A large number of species of the Spurge Family are 

 dangerously poisonous, and many afford very valuable 

 medicines, as the Castor- and Croton-oil Plants, referred to 

 above. From the abundant deposit of starch in the roots 

 of species of Manihot (allied to Jatropha)^ native in tro- 

 pical South America, but widely cultivated in hot countries, 

 they become most valuable food-plants, yielding Cassava- 

 meal or Mandiocca, and Tapioca. 



The flowers are usually so small, that the Family is not 

 very serviceable for ornamental purposes. The bracts of 

 the two species of Euphot'bia^ common in Indian gardens, 

 named above, and especially of the Mexican Poinsettia, are, 

 however, very brilliant, and compensate for the insigni- 

 ficance of the flowers. 



South American India-rubber is obtained from the milk- 

 sap of species of Siphonia (S. brasiliensis^ &c.) The sap 

 is dried upon clay bottle-shaped moulds, and when a 

 sufficient thickness is obtained, the clay is washed out. 

 The Kamala dye of India, used to dye silks yellow, is 

 a red powder, rubbed off the ripe capsules of Kottlera 

 tindoria. 



