UMBELLIFER. 193 
OrperR XXXII]. UMBELLIFERA. 
Herbs, very rarely climbing or shrubby, often aromatic when 
bruised. Stems often grooved or channelled, solid or hollow. 
Leaves alternate, usually much cut and divided but sometimes 
simple and entire; petiole dilated and sheathing at the base ; 
stipules wanting (except in Hydrocotyle). Flowers small, herma- 
phrodite or occasionally polygamous, in terminal or lateral umbels 
which are either simple or compound. Umbels usually furnished 
at the base with a ring of bracts, those below the primary (or 
general) umbel forming the involucre, those below the secondary 
(or partial) ones constituting the involucel. Calyx adnate to the 
ovary, limb either obsolete or 5-toothed. Petals 5, inserted at the 
margin of an epigvnous disc, the outer often larger, imbricate or 
valvate, usually inflexed at the tip. Stamens 5, epigynous; fila- 
ments curved inwards. Disc epigynous, often Y-lobed and con- 
fluent with the base of the styles. Ovary inferior, 2-celled; 
styles 2, distinct; ovules 1 in each cell, pendulous. Fruit of 2 dry 
indehiscent carpels cohering by their inner faces (commissure), when 
ripe separating from a filiform central axis (carpophore), from the 
top of which they often remain suspended for a time. Hach carpel 
(mericarp) generally bears 5 longitudinal ridges, sometimes ex- 
panded into wings. In the spaces or furrows between the ridges, 
and imbedded in the pericarp, are one or more longitudinal oil- 
canals (vitt@). Secondary ridges are also sometimes placed be- 
tween the primary ones. Seeds 1 to each carpel, pendulous; 
albumen abundant, horny ; embryo minute, next the hilum, radicle 
superior. 
A very large and extremely distinct order, represented all over the world, 
but most plentiful in western Asia, south Hurope, and north Africa; rarer in 
the tropics and in the south temperate zone. Genera about 160; species esti- 
mated at 1500. The properties of the order are extremely varied. Several 
species secrete a poisonous and narcotic acrid sap, as hemlock, fool’s parsley, 
water drop-wort, &c. Others are characterized hy the presence of a gum-resin, 
as Asafetida and Galbanum. Many species produce aromatic and carminative 
fruits, as caraway, coriander, dill, &c. The chief edible species are the carrot 
and parsnip, where the roots alone are eaten; and celery, parsley, and fennel, 
where the leaves and stems are employed. Of the 11 New Zealand genera, 
Aciphylla and Actinotus extend to Australia; Azorella and Oreomyrrhis occur 
in South America and the Antarctic islands as well. The remaining 7 are all 
widely distributed. 
* Umbels simple (sometimes irregularly compound in Azorella). 
a. Vitte absent. 
Creeping herbs with scarious stipules. Fruit laterally 
much compressed .. 1. HyDROCOTYLE, 
Tufted or creeping. Fruit hardly compressed, subquadrate 2. AZORELLA. 
Leaves and involucres spinous. Umbels contracted into a 
compact spike or head .. 93. ERYNGIUM. 
Tufted or creeping. oh NATE A 1 celled, “‘Lovuled. Carpel 
solitary .. .. 4. ACTINOTUS. 
7—FI. 
