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ASCLEPIADACEA, 617 
lobes of the corolla; filaments usually combined so as to form 
a tube round the pistil (fig. 1006), or sometimes distinct ; 
anthers frequently surrounded by horn-like appendages of the 
filaments (jigs. 1006, a, and 1007, p); ‘ pollen when the anther 
dehisces, cohering in masses (fig. 565, b) and sticking to five 
processes of the stigma (jig. 565, p) by twos, or fours, or singly.’ 
Ovary superior (fig. 1006), formed of 2 carpels, which are more 
or less adherent below, but distinct jabove; styles 2; stigmas 
united and expanded into a fleshy 5-cornered head, the pollen- 
masses adhering to gelatinous processes arising from its angles 
( figs. 565, s, and 1006). Frwit consisting of 2 follicles, or 1 by 
abortion, Seeds numerous, generally comose (fig. 755), with 
thin albumen. 
Diagnosis.—This order is at once distinguished amongst the 
Dicarpive by its curiously formed stigma and adhering pollen- 
masses. 
Fic. 1006. Fic, 1007. 
Fic. 1005, 
Fig. 1005. Diagram of the flower of Asclepias nivea.— Fig. 1006. Flower of 
a species of Asclepias, with the stamens united and forming a tube round 
the pistil. p. Corolla. a, Appendages of the stamens. Fig. 1007. One 
of the stamens of the sameremoved. jf. Filament. a. Anther. p. Horn- 
like appendage of the filament, 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are chiefly tropical plants, 
abounding in southern Africa, India, and equinoctial America. 
Illustrative Genera :—Hemidesmus, Rk. Br.; Asclepias, Linn. ; 
Hoya, FR. Br. ; Stapelia, Linn. There are about 1,000 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order are chiefly 
remarkable for their bitter acrid juice, which renders them 
stimulant, emetic, purgative, and diaphoretic. Several species 
are reputed to be antidotes to snake-bites. Some species yield 
Caoutchouc; but no important commercial kind of Rubber is 
obtained from them. ‘The parts of some are edible, as the roots 
of Gomphocarpus pedunculatus, and the tubers of Ceropeqia Vig- 
naldiana, &c. 
A sclepias.—The root of A. Curassavica is employed in some of the West 
Indian islands as an emetic, hence it is termed Bastard Ipecacuanha, From 
