ELATINACE. 467 
lakes. They are most abundant in the basin of the Mediter- 
ranean, and are altogether confined to the northern hemisphere 
of the Old World. Illustrative Genera:—Tamarix, Linn. ; 
Myricaria, Desv. There are about 40 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The bark of these plants is astringent, 
slightly bitter, and tonic. The ashes of some species of Tamarix 
contain much sulphate of soda. 
Tamariz.—T. mannifera produces a saccharine substance, which is 
known under the name of Mount Sinai Manna. This is considered by 
Ehrenberg as an exudation produced by a species of Coceus, which inhabits 
this plant.—T. gallica, T. orientalis, and some other species of Tamarix, are 
liable to the attack of insects, which produce galls on their surface. These 
galls are astringent, and are sometimes used in medicine, and as dyeing 
agents where astringent substances are required, 
Cohort 5. Guttiferales.—Calyx with imbricate estivation. Sta- 
mens generally numerous. Gyncecium syncarpous. Seeds 
usually exalbuminous. ; 
Order 1. EnaTINAcE&, the Water-pepper Order. —Cha- 
racter.—Little annual marsh plants, with hollow creeping 
stems, and opposite leaves with interpetiolar membranous 
Fie, 913. Fic. 914, Fig. 915. 
Fig. 913. Diagram of the flower of a species of St. John’s Wort (ype7i- 
cum ).——Fig. 914. Vertical section of the flower of the same,—— Fig. 915. 
Vertical section of the seed, 
stipules. Flowers small and axillary. Sepals and petals 3—5, 
the latter, as well as the stamens, being distinct and hypogy- 
nous. Ovary superior; styles 3—5; stigmas capitate. Fruit 
capsular, 3—5-celled, placentation axile ; dehiscence loculicidal. 
Seeds numerous, exalbuminous ; embryo straight. This order 
has been variously placed, but it appears to be most nearly 
related to Hypericacee, although in some respects resembling 
the Alsinez in Caryophyllacez. 
Distribution and Numbers.—The plants of this small order 
are scattered all over the world. Illustrative Genera :—Elatine, 
Linn.; Merimea, Camb. Lindley enumerates 22 species. 
Properties and Uses.—They are generally considered acrid, 
hence the English name of the order. 
HH 2 
