546 FRANCOACE. 
usually evident, either existing in the form of 5 scaly processes, 
or annular and notched, hypogynous or perigynous. Ovary 
superior or more or less inferior (jigs. 625 and 957), usually 
composed of two carpels, united below, but more or less distinct 
towards the apex; 1- or 2-celled; styles equal in number to the 
carpels, distinct, diverging. Fruit capsular, 1—2-celled, usually 
membranous. Seeds small, numerous; embryo (fig. 958) in the 
axis of fleshy albumen, and with the radicle towards the hilum. 
Diagnosis.—Herbs with alternate leaves. Flowers unsym- 
metrical. Calyx inferior or generally more or less superior, 
4—5-partite. Stamens perigynous or hypogynous. Ovary 
superior or more or less inferior, composed of 2 carpels united 
at the base, and diverging at the apex; styles distinct, equal 
in number to the carpels. Fruit capsular, 1—2-celled. Seeds 
numerous, small, with fleshy albumen. 
Bentham and Hooker include the succeeding orders, Franco- 
acex, Escalloniaceer, Philadelphaceex, Hydrangeaceer, Henslovi- 
acex, Cunoniacexr, and Ribesiacex, in the order Saxifragacex, and 
arrange the whole in the following sub-orders:—1. Saxifragex. 
2. Francoex. 3. Escalloniex. 4. Philadelphex or Hydrangex. 
5. Cunoniex. 6. Ribesiex. 
Distribution and Nwmbers.—They are exclusively natives of 
the northern parts of the world, where they chiefly inhabit 
mountainous districts, and sometimes grow as high as 16,000 
feet above the levelof the sea. Illustrative Genera :—Saxifraga, 
Linn.; Heuchera, Linn. There are about 320 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of the order are all more 
or less astringent. This is remarkably the case with the root of 
Heuchera americana, which is much employed for its astringent 
properties in the United States under the name of Alwm-root. 
Saxifraga.—S. sibirica is said to contain a crystalline bitter principle, 
which has been termed bergenin, and is reputed to be a powerful tonic, rank- 
ing in its action between salicin and quinine. 
Order 5. FRANCOACES, the Francoa Order.—C haracter.— 
Stemless herbs. Leaves exstipulate. Calyx 4-partite. Petals 4, 
persistent. Stamens hypogynous or nearly so, four times as 
many as the petals, the alternate ones sterile, and commonly 
termed scales. Ovary superior, 4-celled; ovules numerous; 
stigma sessile, 4-lobed. Fruit a membranous 4-celled, 4-valved 
capsule, with loculicidal or septicidal dehiscence. Seeds small, 
indefinite ; embryo very minute, at the base of a Jarge quantity 
of fleshy albumen. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of Chili. Illustrative 
Genera:—Francoa, Cavan.; Tetilla, DC. These are the only 
genera, they include about 6 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The Francoas are reputed to be cooling 
and sedative. Tetilla is astringent, and is employed as aremedy 
in dysentery. 
