440 LARDIZABALACEA, 
and stem are very astringent, and are occasionally used by dyers in the pre- 
paration of a yellow dye. The common Barberry bark is sometimes employed 
to adulterate Pomegranate root-bark. It is said to be tonie in small doses, 
and cathartie in large ones. It owes its properties more especially to berbe- 
rine. The root-bark of B. Lycium, B. asiatica, and B. aristata, forms Indian 
Barberry bark. This bark, which is official in the Pharmacopeeia of India, 
possesses tonic, anti-periodic, and diaphoretie properties ; and its extract, 
under the name of Rusot, is employed in India as a loeal application in 
ophthalmia and other affections of the eyes. The properties of Indian 
Barberry bark are especially due to the presence of the alkaloid berbe- 
rine. 
Caulophyllum thalictroides, Blue Cohosh.—The root (rhizome) has a repu- 
tation among the eclectic practitioners in the United States in certain 
uterine affections. It is regarded asa stimulating tonic and slight narcotic. 
The eclectic remedy termed caulophyllin which is obtained from it, is 
reputed to be antispasmodie, alterative, tonic, diuretic, and vermifuge. 
Jeffersonia diphylla.—The root (rhizome) is popularly known as rheuma- 
tism-root in the United States, from its reputed value in rheumatism. It is 
commonly said to resemble senega root in its action, and to possess emetic, 
tonic, and expectorant properties. 
Podophyllum peltatum, May-apple.—The rhizome and rootlets possess 
hydragogue cathartic properties, owing especially to the presence of a resin, 
which is frequently termed incorrectly podophyllin. The rhizome 1s official 
in the British Pharmacopeeia as the source of the official Resin of Podophyl- 
lum, which is now largely used as a cholagogue, &c., in this country. 
Order9. LARDIZABALACE, the Lardizabala Order.—C harac- 
ter.—Shrubs of a twining habit. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, 
compound. Flowers unisexual. Barren flower :—Calyx and corolla 
with a ternary arrangement of their parts, each in one or two 
whorls, deciduous. Stamens 6, opposite the petals, usually 
monadelphous, sometimes distinct. Rudimentary carpels 2 or 3. 
Fertile flower :—Calyx and corolla as before, but larger, hypogy- 
nous. Stamens 6, very imperfect and sterile. Carpels distinct, 
generally 3, rarely 6 or 9, 1-celled; ovules usually numerous, 
rarely 1, imbedded on the inner surface of the ovary. Fruit 
baccate, or sometimes follicular. Seed with usually a minute 
embryo in a large quantity of homogeneous albumen. This 
order is placed in Berberidacexe by Bentham and Hooker, and by 
Baillon ; and by De Candolle in Menispermacee. 
Diagnosis.—Twining shrubs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, 
compound. Unisexual flowers. Carpels distinct, superior. 
Seeds parietal, imbedded ; embryo usually minute, with abun- 
dant homogeneous albumen. 
Distribution and Numbers.—There are about 15 species be- 
longing to this order. According to Lindley, two genera in- 
habit the cooler parts of South America ; one is a tropical form, 
and the remainder are from the temperate parts of China. 
Illustrative Genera :—Stauntonia, DC.; Lardizabala, Ruiz et Pav. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order appear to be 
without any active properties. Some have edible fruits. Others 
have been introduced into our greenhouses as evergreen 
climbers. 
