568 BEGONIACEX.— DATISCACEA. 
pericarp being used as a receptacle for containing fluid. The seeds are 
purgative. 
Luffa.—L. purgans and L. drastica.—The fruit of these plants is violently 
purgative. It is commonly called American Colocynth. The fruit of other 
species has similar properties. The fruit of Luffa fetida is termed the 
Sponge Gourd, as its pericarp mainly consists of a mass of fibres entangled 
together ; it is employed for cleaning guns and other analogous purposes. 
The dried fibrous part of the pericarp of Luffa xgyptiaca is used in bath- 
rooms by Egyptian ladies to produce smoothness of the skin; it is com- 
monly known as the Towel Gourd. These prepared pericarps may now be 
commonly met with in this country under the name of ‘ Loofahs.’ An in- 
fusion of the fresh stalks and leaves of Luffa amara, an Indian species, is 
said to be useful in affections of the splecn. It possesses bitter tonic and 
diuretic properties. 
Sechium edule—The green fruit is commonly eaten in hot countries, It 
is called Chocho or Chacha. 
Telfairia pedata (Jolliffia africana).—The seeds yield by expression a 
very good oil, resembling that obtained from Olives. They have a flavour 
like almonds, and are eaten in Africa. They have been imported into this 
country on account of their oil. 
Trianosperma (Bryonia) ficifolia is the source of the celebrated remedy 
known by the natives of the Argentine Republic as tayuru, and in Brazil 
as Leroy vegetal. It is said to possess powerful emetic and cathartic 
properties. 
Trichosanthes anguinea is the Snake Gourd.—The fruits of this and some 
other species are eaten in India mixed with curries ; but others are reputed 
to possess poisonous properties. 
Order 9. BEGoNIACE®, the Begonia Order.—C haracter.— 
Herbs, or low succulent shrubs. Leaves altetnate, very unequal- 
sided at the base (jig. 338), with large membranous stipules. 
Flowers unisexual, moncecious. Calyx coloured. Male flower 
with 4 sepals, 2 of which are smaller than the others, and decus- 
sating with, and placed internal to them. Stwmens numerous, 
distinct or united by their filaments into a column; anthers 2- 
celled, clavate, with longitudinal dehiscence, clustered. Female 
jlower with 5 or 8 sepals. Ovary inferior, winged, 3-celled, from 
three large projecting placentas meeting in the axis; stigmas 3, 
sessile, 2-lobed. Frit winged, capsular. Seeds numerous, with 
a thin reticulated testa, and without albumen. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives chiefly of India, South 
America, and the West Indies. Illustrative Genera :—Begonia, 
Linn. ; Diploclinium, Lindl. There are above 160 species. 
Properties and Uses.—They are generally reputed to possess 
astringent and bitter properties, and occasionally to be purgative. 
Some species of Begonia, as B. malabarica and B. tuberosa, are 
used as pot-herbs. The species of Begonia are much cultivated 
for the beauty of their flowers and leaves, and from their 
unequal-sided.leaves, very characteristic of this genus, they are 
commonly termed Elephant’s Ears. 
Order 10. Datiscace®, the Datisca Order.—Character.— 
Herbs, or in the case of Tetrameles a large tree. Leaves alter- 
nate, exstipulate. lowers diclinous, apetalous. Male flower 
