602 VACCINIACEA, 
inferior, 1—3-celled ; placentas axile or parietal ; style 1 ; stigma 
surrounded by a fringe of hairs (fig. 991). Fruit capsular, de- 
hiscing at the apex. Seeds nu- 
Fic. 992. merous, albuminous. This order 
is especially distinguished from. 
the Campanulacer by its irre- 
gular corollas and syngenesious 
anthers. It is made a tribe of 
the Campanulacex by Bentham 
and Hooker. 
Distribution and Numbers.— 
They are chiefly natives of 
tropical and sub-tropical regions ; 
but a few occur in temperate and 
cold climates. Illustrative Ge- 
nera:—Clintonia, Doug.; Lo- 
belia, Linn. Yhere are about 
400 species. 
Fig. 991. Stigma of Lobelia syphilitica. Properties and Uses. — The 
Fig. 992. The essential organs of milky juice with which these 
the above, qvath the calyx. plants abound is commonly of 
a very acrid nature, hence the 
species of this order should be regarded with suspicion. Indeed, 
some, as Lobelia inflata, Tupa Feuillxi, &c., act as narcotico- 
acrid poisons ; and that of Isotoma longiflora is vesicant, and 
when taken internally it causes such violent purgation as to 
result in death. 
Fra. 991. 
Lobelia —L. inflata, Indian Tobacco.—This species is a native of North 
America. The flowering herb and seeds have been extensively employed, 
especially in the United States, for their sedative, antispasmodic, emetic, and 
expectorant properties. Lobelia resembles tobacco in its action ; the dried 
flowering herb is official in the British Pharmacopeeia. Several fatal cases 
of poisoning have occurred in the United States, and in this country, from 
its empirical use. The seeds may be distinguished under the microscope by 
their peculiarly reticulated character. The root of L. sy»vhilitica possesses 
emetic, purgative, and diuretic properties, and, as its specific name implies, 
it has been reputed to be efficacious in syphilis.—Z. urens has blistering 
qualities.—L. decurrens is used in Peru as an emetic and purgative, and 
its employment has been suggested in this country as a substitute for 
Ipecacuanha. 
Series 2. Superee. 
Cohort 1. FEricales. — Stamens generally hypogynous (except 
in Vacciniacez), and twice the number of the lobes of the 
corolla ; or equal in number and alternate with the lobes. 
Ovary with usually more than 2 cells ; placentation generally 
axile ; style undivided. 
Order 1. VAcCINIACEH, the Cranberry Order.—Character. 
Shrubs or small trees. Leaves alternate, undivided, exstipu- 
late. Calyx superior. Corolla 4—6-lobed ; xstivation imbricate. 
