UMBELLIFER, O71 
merous, conspicuous. Stamens numerous. Fruit capsular, 
dehiscent. — Illustrative Genera: — Mesembryanthemum, 
Linn. ; Lewisia, Pursh. 
Sub-order 2. TrerRaGgonie®.—Leaves alternate. Petals absent. 
Stamens definite. Fruit woody and indehiscent.—Lllustrative 
Genera :—Tetragonia, Linn. ; Aizoon, Linn. 
Sub-order 3. Sesuvirx.—Leaves alternate. Petals absent. Sta- 
mens definite. Fruit capsular, with transverse dehiscence. — 
Illustrative Genera :—Sesuvium, Linn. ; Cypselea, Turp. 
The two last sub-orders are sometimes placed in an order by 
themselves, called Vetrugoniacex, which is distinguished from 
the Mesembryanthacee by having alternate leaves, no petals, 
and definite stamens. The plants comprehended in the above 
three sub-orders are, however, so nearly allied, that we have, 
following Bentham and Hooker, placed them in one order as above. 
The tribe Molluginex of Caryophyllacex is also placed in this order 
by Bentham and Hooker. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives exclusively of warm 
and tropical regions. A large number are found at the Cape of 
Good Hope. ‘There are about 450 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Several are edible; othtrs yield an 
abundance of soda when burned ; but generally the plants of the 
order are of little importance. 
Lewisia rediviva—The root is eaten in Oregon. It is sometimes called 
Tobacco-root from the smell of tobacco which it is said to acquire by cook- 
ing. According to M. Gever, it is the racine amére of the Canadian Voya- 
geurs ; it forms a very agreeable and wholesome food when cooked. 
Mesembryanthemum.—M. crystallinum is the Ice-plant. It is so called 
from its surface being studded with little papille (see page 69) of an ice- 
like appearance. Its juice is reputed to be diuretic. The ashes of this 
species, as well as those of M. copticum, M. nodiflorum, and others, contain 
much soda.—M. geniculiflorum is employed as a pot-herb in Africa, and its 
seeds are edible-—WM. edule is called the Hottentot’s Fig ; its leaves are eaten. 
The fruit of W. xquilaterale (Pig-faces or Canagong) is eaten in Australia. 
Tetraugonia expansa is used in New Zealand as a substitute for spinach. 
It has been cultivated in Europe, and employed for the same purpose under 
the name of New Zealand Spinach. It has been highly recommended for 
cultivation in this country. Its flavour is very similar to ordinary spinach. 
Cohort 5. Umbellales.—Stamens few, epigynous. Gyncecium 
synearpous; ovary inferior; ovules solitary, pendulous ; 
stvles surrounded at the base by an epigynous disk, generally 
distinct, or sometimes united. Seeds albuminous. Leaves 
exstipulate. 
Order 1. UMBELLIFER®, the Umbelliferous Order.—Cha- 
racter.—Herbs, shrubs, or very rarely small trees, with usually 
hollow or rarely solid stems. Leaves alternate, generally am- 
plexicaul (fig. 281), usually compound (jig. 363), or sometimes 
simple, and always exstipulate. Flowers generally in umbels, 
