POLYGALACER. 461 
so, in copious fleshy albumen, and with the radicle towards the 
hilum (jig. 916, pl). (See Krameria). 
Diagnosis (excluding Krameria).—Herbs or shrubs, with 
simple exstipulate leaves. Flowers irregular, unsymmetrical. 
Sepals and petals imbricate, not commonly corresponding in 
number, and usually arranged in a somewhat papilionaceous 
manner ; odd petal anterior; odd sepal posterior. Stamens 
8, hypogynous, usually combined ; anthers generally 1-celled, 
with porous dehiscence. Fruit flattened, usually 2-celled and 
2-seeded. Seeds with abundant fleshy albumen, and with a 
caruncule next the hilum. 
Distribution and Nwmbers.—Some genera of the order are 
found in almost every part of the globe. The individual genera 
are, however, generally confined to particular regions, with the 
exception of the genus Polygala, which is very widely distributed, 
being found in almost every description of station, and in both 
warm and temperate regions. Illustrative Genera :—-Polygala, 
Linn. ; Monnina, Ruiz et Pavon ; Soulamea, Zam. There are 
over 500 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The greater part of the plants of this 
order are bitter and acrid, and their roots milky ; hence they 
are frequently tonic, stimulant, and febrifugal. Some are 
emetic, purgative, diuretic, sudorific, or expectorant. The 
roots of the different species of Krameria are very astringent 
from the presence of tannic acid; they are commonly known 
under the name of Rhatany roots. A few species have edible 
fruits, and others abound in a saponaceous principle. 
Krameria.—(The species of this genus are sometimes separated from the 
Polygalacez and placed in an order by themselves termed Krameriacez. 
They are distinguished by their flowers not presenting a papilionaceous 
arrangement ; in their stamens being 1, 3, or 4, and distinct ; in their ovary 
being 1-celled, or incompletely 2-celled ; and in their exalbuminous seeds). 
The root of Krameria triandra, a native of Peru, which is known as Peru- 
vian, Payta, or Red Rhatany; and the root of another species, A. tomen- 
tosa, St. Hil. (K. Lvina, var. granatensis, Triana), a native of New Granada 
and Brazil, which is termed Savanilla, New Granada, or Violet Rhatany, 
are official in the British Pharmacopeeia. A third kind of Rhatany, which 
is said to be derived from K. argentea, is imported from Para ; it is known 
as Brazilian or Para Rhatany, or from its colour Brown Rhatany. Other 
species of Krameria also yield roots similar to Rhatany, but they are not 
usually found in commerce; and Holmes has recently described a very 
astringent root which has appeared in the London market as Rhatany, and 
imported from Guayaquil, which he believes is obtained from a genus 
nearly allied to Krameria. Rhatany root is used in medicine as an astrin- 
gent, and is well adapted for all those diseases which require the employ- 
ment of such medicines. It is also employed, mixed with equal parts of 
orris rhizome and charcoal, as a tooth-powder. A saturated tincture of 
Rhatany root in brandy is called wine colouring, and is used in Portugal 
to give roughness to Port wines. 
Monnina polystachya and M. salicifolia—The bark of the root of these 
plants is especially remarkable for the presence of a saponaceous principle ; 
it is used in Peru as a substitute for soap, and for cleaning and polishing 
