586 RUBIACEA. 
cell ; when few they are erect or ascending, or when numerous, 
then attached to axile placentas ; embryo small, in horny albu- 
men (fig. 979, a). 
Diagnosis.—Trees, shrubs, or herbs, with opposite simple 
entire leaves, interpetiolar stipules, and rounded stems ; or with 
whorled exstipulate leaves, and angular stems. Calyx superior. 
Corolla regular, epigynous, with its lobes valvate. Stamens 
equal in number to the teeth of the calyx and segments of the 
corolla, with the latter of which they are alternate, epipetalous. 
Ovary inferior, 2- or more celled, with an epigynous disk ; ovules 
anatropous. Fruit inferior. Seeds 1 or more in each cell, with 
horny albumen. 
Division of the Order and Illustrative Genera.—This order was 
separated by Lindley into two orders, the Cinchonacex and the 
Galiacex or Stellatx, an arrangement formerly adopted by us, 
but now abandoned as not in accordance with the more generally 
accepted views of botanists. The Galiaceze of Lindley were 
more especially distinguished from the Cinchonacee by their 
whorled exstipulate leaves and angular stems. The order 
Rubiaceze is now divided by Hooker and Bentham into three 
series, each of which is again divided into sub-series and tribes. 
The Galiacez of Lindley are natives of the northern parts of 
the northern hemisphere, and the mountains of the southern ; 
while the Cinchonacee are almost exclusively natives of tropical 
and warm regions. There are about 3,000 species in the 
Rubiaceze as defined above. Illustrative Genera : —Galium, 
Linn. ; Cinchona, Linn. ; Txora, Linn. 
Properties and Uses.—The properties of the plants of this 
extensive order are very important to man, furnishing him with 
many valuable medicinal agents, as well as substances useful in 
the arts and domestic economy. Thus many possess tonic, 
febrifugal, astringent, emetic, or purgative properties ; some 
are diuretic and emmenagogue ; a few are valuable dyeing 
and tanning agents; and others have edible fruits and seeds. 
Some are reputed to possess intoxicating, and in rare cases even 
poisonous, properties. Various species are also cultivated in 
our stoves on account of the beauty and fragrance of their 
flowers. 
Cephaélis Ipecacuanha—The root of this plant, which is a native of 
Brazil and New Granada, is termed annulated Ipecacuanha. In Brazil, this, 
as well as other emetic roots, are known under the same name, Poaya. The 
Ipecacuanha plant has become somewhat scarce in Brazil, but is now being 
cultivated in India, but hitherto not with much success. It is the official 
Ipecacuanha of the British, Indian, and United States Pharmacopeeias. It 
contains an alkaloid called emetine, to which its properties are principally 
due. Ipecacuanha possesses emetic and purgative properties in large 
doses, and in small doses it is expectorant and diaphoretic. It is also 
sedative. 
Cinchona.—The plants of this genus are natives exclusively of the inter- 
tropical valleys of the Andes, and principally on the eastern face of the Cor- 
