»  GRASSULACER. 549 
Order 12. CrassuLacE&, the Houseleek Order.—Charac- 
ter.—Succulent herbs or shrubs. Leaves entire or pinnatifid, 
exstipulate. Flowers usually eymose (fig. 436), symmetrical 
(figs. 785 and 786). Calyx generally composed of 5 sepals, but 
varying in number from 3—20, more i. less united at the base, 
inferior (fig. 785, c), persistent. Petals a | in number to the 
divisions of the calyx (fig. 785, p), with which they are alter- 
nate, either distinct or united, and inserted into the bottom of 
the calyx; estivation imbricate. Stamens inserted with the 
petals (fig. 785, e), either equal to them in number and alter- 
nate with them (fig. 785) ; or twice as many (fig. 786), and then 
forming 2 whorls, one of which is composed of longer stamens 
than the other, the longer stamens being placed alternate to the 
petals, and the shorter stamens opposite to them ; anthers 
adnate, 2-celled, with longitudinal dehiscence. Carpels equal in 
number to the petals and opposite to them (fig. 785, 0), each 
having frequently a scale on the outside at the base (fig. 785, a), 
distinct or more or less united ; styles distinct. Frwit either 
consisting of a whorl of follicles, or a capsule with loculicidal 
dehiscence. Seeds very small, variable in number ; embryo in 
the axis of fleshy albumen, with the radicle towards the hilum. 
Diagnosis.—Succulent herbs or low shrubs. Leaves exstipu- 
late. Flowers perfectly symmetrical, the sepals, petals, and 
carpels being equal in number, and the stamens being also 
equal to them, or twice as many. Petals and stamens almost 
or quite hypogynous. Corolla monopetalous or polypetalous. 
Carpels opposite the petals. Fruit either apocarpous and 
follicular, or a many-celled capsule with loculicidal dehiscence. 
Seeds small ; embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen. 
Division of the Order and Illustrative Genera :—The order 
may be divided as follows :— 
Sub-order 1. CrassuLE#&.-—Fruit consisting of a whorl of fol- 
icles. Crassula, Haw. ; Sedum, Liwn. 
Sub-order 2. DiaMorPHE®.—Fruit a many-celled capsule with 
loculicidal dehiscence. Diamorpha, Nutt.; Penthorum, Linn. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are found in very dry 
situations in all parts of the world ; a large number occur at the 
Cape of Good Hope. There are about 450 species. 
Properties and U'ses.—Astringent, refrigerant, and acrid pro- 
perties are found in the plants of this order, but none are of 
much importance. 
Cotyledon.— C. Umbilicus.—This plant, which is a common native, more 
especially in the West of England, has long been in use as a popular remedy 
in hysteria, and as an external application to destroy corns and warts. It 
has also been frequently used of late years as a remedy for epilepsy.—C. 
orbiculata, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, is employed in similar cases. 
Rhodiola esculenta is eaten by the Greenlanders. 
Sedum.—S. acre is the common yellow Biting Stonecrop of our walls, 
