462 VOCHYSIACEH.— FRANKENIACE, 
silver. It is moreover reputed to be a valuable medicine in diarrhcea and 
similar diseases. The leaves are also reputed to be expectorant. 
Polygala.—Many species of this genus have bitter properties, as P. amara, 
P. rubella, P. vulgaris, and P. major; they have been used as tonies, stimu- 
lants, diaphoreties, &e.—Polygala Senega, Senega root.—The root of this 
species was first introduced into medicine as an antidote to the bites of snakes. 
Various other species of Polygala have been reputed to possess similar pro- 
perties, but they are generally regarded as altogether useless in such cases. 
Senega root is official in the British Pharmacopeeia ; it is used in large doses 
as an emetic and cathartic ; and in moderate doses as a sialagogue, expecto- 
rant, diaphoretic, diuretic, and emmenagogue. - Its principal virtues are 
due to the presence of a very acrid substance, which has been called Senegin 
or Polygalic Acid: it is said to be a glucoside, and is in the form of a white 
amorphous powder.—P. sanguinea and P. purpurea, in North America; P. 
Serpentaria at the Cape; P. Chamxbuxus, in Europe; P. crotalarioides 
and P. telephioides, in the Himalayas, and other species, are said to possess 
somewhat similar properties ; and one species, P. venenosa, a native of Java, 
has the acrid principle in so concentrated a state as to render it poisonous,— 
P. tinctoria, an Arabian species, is used for dyeing. 
Soulamea amara, a native of Malacca, is intensely bitter, and is regarded 
as a valuable febrifuge ; it is also a medicine which has been employed with 
very great success in cholera and pleurisy. 
Order 2. VocHystacE&, the Vochysia Order.—Character.— 
Trees or shrubs, with entire usually opposite leaves, which are 
furnished at the base with glands or stipules. lowers very 
irregular and unsymmetrical. Sepals 4—5, united at the base, 
very unequal, the upper one spurred; e&xstivation imbricate, 
Petals, 1, 2, 3, or 5, unequal, inserted upon the calyx ; xstivation 
imbricate. Stamens 1 to 5, usually opposite the petals, or rarely 
alternate, arising from the bottom of the calyx, most of them 
sterile. Ovary superior or partially inferior, 3-celled, or rarely 
1-celled ; placentas axile; style and stigma 1. Fruit usually 
capsular, 3-cornered, 3-celled, with loculicidal dehiscence ; or 
rarely indehiscent and 1-celled. Seeds usually winged, without 
albumen, erect. 
This order is, on account of its calycifloral character, fre- 
quently placed near Combretacex, but it is readily distinguished 
from it by its superior or nearly superior ovary. Lindley con- 
siders it most nearly allied to the Violacex and the Polygalacee 
—hence we place it here. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of equinoctial America. 
Illustrative Genera :—Vochysia, Juss.; Salvertia, St. Hil. There 
are about 50 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Generally unimportant, although some 
are said to form useful timber. 
Order 3. WRANKENIACE, the Frankenia Order.—C harac- 
ter.—Herbs or wndershrubs, much branched, with small opposite 
exstipulate leaves, and sessile flowers. Calyx tubular, furrowed, 
persistent. Petals unguiculate, 4-6, hypogynous. Stamens 4 
or more, hypogynous, distinct, or connate at the base. Ovary 
superior, 1-celled, with parietal placentas. rwit capsular, 1- 
