MALPIGHIACEA. 491 
amount depending upon the quality of the seed, and the mode adopted for its 
expression, and varying from about 20 to 30 per cent. Linseed oil is 
especially remarkable for drying readily when applied to the surface of any 
body exposed to the air, and thus forming a hard transparent varnish. 
This peculiarity is much accelerated if the ‘il be previously boiled, either 
alone, or with some preparations of lead. The cake left after the expression 
of the oil is known as Oil-cake, and is employed as food for cattle; and 
when powdered, it is frequently sold as Linseed Meal, but the official Lin- 
seed Meal is simply Linseed powdered ; hence it contains the oil, which is 
not present in the former. Linseed Meal which thus contains the oil is to 
be preferred when in a fresh state. An infusion of Linseed is employed 
medicinally for its demulcent and emollient properties. The oil is exten- 
sively used in the arts, &c.; and is a valuable application to burnt or scalded 
parts, either alone, or combined with an equal quantity of Lime-water ; this 
mixture is commonly known under the name of Carron-oil, a name derived 
from its having been extensively employed in the Carron Tron-foundry.— 
The seeds, linseed meal, and linseed oil are all official in the British Pharma- 
copeeia.— Linum catharticum, popularly termed Purging Flax, is a common 
indigenous plant. It possesses active purgative properties, and might be 
much more employed as a medicine than is the case at present. —Linum 
selaginoides, a Peruvian Species, is reputed to be bitter and ap>rient. 
Sethia.—S. indica is in creat repute in Ceylon as a vermifuge for 
children, The leaves are dried, powdered, and given mixed with boiled 
rice.—S, acuminata is also used 1 in a similar way for the same purpose. It 
is known in Ceylon as Matura Worm Medicine. 
Order 2. Marpicutace&, the Malpighia Order.— Charac- 
ter.—Trees or shrubs, often climbing. Leaves usually opposite 
or whorled, rarely alternate; stipules generally short and 
deciduous, sometimes large and interpetiolar ; the leaves are 
occasionally furnished with hairs, which are fixed by their 
middle, that is, peltate (fig. 168). Flowers perfect or polygamous. 
Calyx 5-partite, persistent, frequently with glands at the base 
of one or all of the divisions; estivation imbricate or rarely 
valvate. Petals 5, hypogynous, unguiculate ; e&stivation con- 
volute. Stamens usually 10, monadelphous or distinct ; connective 
fleshy and elongated beyond the anther-lobes. Ovary generally 
consisting of 3 carpels, rarely 2 or 4, partially or wholly com- 
bined ; ovules 1 in each cell, pendulous from a long stalk ; styles 
3, distinct or united ; stigmas 3, simple. Fruit either drupaceous, 
samaroid, or a woody nut. Seed solitary, exalbuminous ; em- 
bryo straight or variously curved. 
Diagnosis.—Trees or shrubs, with simple stipulate leaves. 
Flowers perfect or polygamous. Calyx and corolla with 5 parts ; 
the sepals having usually large glands at the base, and imbricate 
or very rarely valvate in estivation ; the petals unguiculate, 
without appendages, hypogynous, convolute. Stamens usually 
10, sometimes 15, with a fleshy prolonged connective. Ovary 
generally composed of 3 carpels, or in any case not corresponding 
in number, or being any power of the three outer whorls ; ovules 
solitary, pendulous from long stalks. Seeds exalbuminous, 
usually with a convolute embryo. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are almost exclusively 
