446 FUMARIACE. 
but little known. The alkaloids codeine and morphine in the form of some of 
its salts, and meconice acid, are official in the British Pharmacopeeia, While the 
juice obtained from the unripe pericarp has been proved to possess such active 
properties, the seeds are bland and wholesome. They yield by expression 
an oil which is much used on the Continent and in this country, as a sub- 
stitute for olive oil and for other purposes. It is one of the oils employed for’ 
the purpose of adulterating olive oil. The cake left after the oil has been 
extracted may be used for fattening cattle. The dark-coloured seeds are 
known as Maw seeds, and are largely eaten by birds. They are also used as 
a medicine for them.—Papaver Rheas, the common Red or Corn Poppy, has 
scarlet or red petals, as its name implies. A syrup prepared from the 
fresh petals (which are official in the British Pharmacopeeia) is used as a 
colouring ingredient by the medical practitioner. The fresh petals are also 
supposed to possess slight narcotic properties. 
Sanquinaria canadensis, Puccoon—The rhizome and rootlets of this 
plant, which is a native of North America, contain a red juice, from which 
circumstance it is commonly termed Blood-root. This so-called root is used 
internally in large doses as an emetic and purgative, and in smaller: doses 
as a stimulant, diaphoretic, and expectorant. It is also said by Eberle to 
exercise a sedative influence on the heart, as certain as that of Digitalis. 
When applied externally, it has been stated to have well-marked escharotic 
properties, and has been used, combined with chloride of zine, as an external 
application for the destruction of cancerous growths ; but from trials in this 
country it has been proved valueless for such a purpose. 
Many genera belonging to this order are commonly cultivated in our 
gardens, as Papaver, Argemone, Remeria, Platystemon, E:schscholtzia, &c. 
Order 3. Fumartace&, the Fumitory Order.—Character. 
—Smooth herbs with a watery juice. Leaves alternate, much 
divided, exstipulate. Sepals 2 (fig. 886), deciduous. Petals 4, 
Fie. 886. Fic. 887. Fic. 888. 
Savy @n sake ® @a 
SSS G 
Fig. 886. Diagram of the flower of Corydalis, with two sepals, four petals 
in two whorls, six stamens in two bundles, anda one-celled ovary with two 
parietal placentas. Fig. 887. Vertical section of the flower of Hypecoum. 
Fig. 888. Upper or posterior petal of Corydalis, spurred at the base, 
and a bundle of three stamens. Fig. 889. Vertical section of the seed 
of Fumaria. 
cruciate, very irregular, in two whorls (fig. 886) ; one or both of 
the outer petals being gibbous or spurred (figs. 886 and 888), and 
the two inner frequently united at the apex. Stamens hypo- 
gynous, usually 6, diadelphous, the two bundles being opposite the 
