CAPPARIDACEA.—RESEDACE. 453 
paris spinosa), which inhabits rocky places in the south of Europe, 
is the only European species, and also that one which is found 
farthest north. ‘The order contains about 360 species. 
Properties and Uses.—In their properties these plants re- 
semble in many respects the Cruciferze, being generally pun- 
gent, stimulant, and antiscorbutic. Others are aperient, diuretic, 
and anthelmintic. In some plants the pungent principle is 
highly concentrated, or probably is in itself deleterious, so that 
those in which it is found are very poisonous. 
Cadaba indica.—The root is reputed to be aperient and anthelmintic. 
Capparis.—The flower-buds of various species of this genus are used to 
form the well-known pickle called Capers. Thus, Capparis spinosa is that 
employed in the south of Europe, C. Fontanesii in Barbary, and C. egyptiaca 
in Egypt. C. egyptiaca is stated to be the Hyssop of Scripture. Capers 
are stimulant, antiscorbutic, and aperient. The fruit of C. coriacea has been 
lately recommended as a valuable remedy in epilepsy, and generally for 
nervous and hysterical affections —C. Sadada has a small fruit which pos- 
sesses an acrid peppery taste, and is an important article of food in some 
parts of Africa. The fruit of one species, said to be allied to C, pulcherrima, 
and which is found in the neighbourhood of Carthagena, is extremely 
poisonous. 
Cleome.-—Some species are very pungent, and are used as condiments 
like our mustard. 
Cratzeva religiosa is commonly employed amongst the natives in India 
as a stomachic and tonic. The root of C. gynandra, the Garlic Pear, is said 
to be vesicant, 
Gynandropsis pentaphylla, a native of India, is reputed to be antispas- 
modic. The bruised leaves are rubefacient, and even vesicant; and its 
seeds are used as a substitute for mustard, and, like mustard seeds, contain 
a fixed oil. 
Polanisia—sSome species of this genus are also employed like mustard, 
The root of P. icosandra is used internally as a vermifuge, and externally as 
a rubefacient, &c. 
Order 6. REsEDACE#, the Mignonette Order.—Character. 
—Herbs, or rarely small shrubs, Leaves alternate, entire or 
divided, exstipulate, or with minute glandular stipules. Calyx 
with from 4—7 divisions. Petals 2—7, entire or with a deeply 
lobed or fringed limb (jig. 499), unequal. Disk fleshy, large, 
hypogynous, one-sided. Stamens definite, inserted on the disk. 
Ovary sessile, 1-celled (fig. 621); ovules amphitropous or cam- 
pylotropous ; placentas (fig. 621, pl) parietal ; stigmas 3, sessile. 
Fruit usually opening at the apex long before the seeds are 
ripe (fig. 621), 1-celled. Seeds usually numerous, reniform ; 
embryo curved, without albumen. 
Diagnosis. —Usually herbs, with alternate leaves and unsym- 
metrical flowers. Disk large, hypogynous, one-sided. Stamens 
definite, not tetradynamous. Ovary sessile, 1-celled, with pari- 
etal placentation ; stigmas 3, sessile. Fruit usually opening 
at the apex before the seeds are ripe. Seeds generally numer- 
ous, reniform, exalbuminous. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are chiefly natives of 
Kurope and the adjoining parts of Africa and Asia. A few 
