VERBENACES, 639 
act as a tonic, and in full doses as a safe, mild, and efficient purgative. They 
have been sometimes employed on the Continent for the adulteration of the 
official Senna ; and also, it is said, in the process of tanning. They contain 
both tannic and gallic acids. 
Order 2. VERBENACE, the Vervain Order.—C haracter.— 
Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite or alternate, exsti- 
pulate. Calyx (fig. 414) inferior, persistent, tubular. Corolla 
irregular, usually more or less 2-lipped. Stamens 4, usually didy- 
namous, or rarely equal ; or sometimes there are but 2 stamens ; 
anthers 2-celled. Ovary (fig. 1022) 2—4-celled ; style 1, terminal 
(fig. 1022) ; stigma undivided or bifid. Fruit dry or drupaceous, 
composed of from 2—4 carpels, which when ripe usually separate 
into as many 1-seeded achzenia. Seed erect or ascending, with 
little or no albumen, and an inferior radicle. 
Diagnosis.—Known at once from the Labiatze by their more 
united carpels and terminal style. 
‘ Distribution and Numbers.—They are found 
Paes. both in temperate and tropical regions. T/lus- 
trative Genera :— Verbena, Linn.; Clerodendron, 
Iinn. There are above 660 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Many of the plants are 
slightly aromatic and bitter, but there are no 
important medicinal plants included in this 
order. Some are valuable timber trees; other 
species have fleshy fruits, which are edible ; and 
Fig. 1022. Pistil the leaves of a few are used as substitutes for 
as a al China Tea. Many are cultivated in our gardens 
for the beauty of their flowers or for their 
fragrance, as the different species and varieties of Verbena, the 
Aloysia citriodora, the Lemon-plant, &c. 
Clerodendron.—The leaves of C. infortunatum, an Indian species, possess 
tonic and antiperiodic properties. 
Gmelina parvifolia and G. usiatica have demulcent properties. 
Lantana pseudo-thea is used in the Brazils as tea, under the name of 
Capitdo da matto. Some species of Lantana have edible fruits. 
Premna.—The inner bark of P. taitensis, whichis known under the name 
of ‘aro’ at Vanua Levu, is said to be one of the constituents of the remedy 
now used under the name of ‘Tonga’ in certain forms of neuralgia. (See 
also Rhaphidophora.) 
Stachytarpha jamaicensis is reputed to be purgative, emmenagogue, and 
anthelmintic. It is used medicinally in Liberia in the form of tea to pro- 
duce abortion, and is there known under the name of ‘ Abortive Plant.’ Its 
leaves are sometimes employed in Austria as a substitute for, or to adulte- 
rate, China tea ; this is known under the name of Brazilian Tea. 
Tectona grandis, Indian Teak-tree or Indian Oak, is the source of the 
very hard and durable wood known as East Indian Teak, which is much 
employed in ship-building, &c. 
Verbena.—The roots and leaves of Verbena hastata are reputed to have 
excellent sudorific properties. 
Vitex —Several species of this genus have acrid fruits, as those of V. 
trifolia, Wild Pepper, V. Negundo, and V. Agnus-castus. ‘he fresh leaves 
