654 BATIDACEX.—PODOSTEMACEZ.—MONIMIACE. 
Rumex.—Several species possess acid properties owing to the presence of 
a potassium salt of oxalic acid, commonly termed salt of sorrel, especially 
R. acetosa, common Sorrel, R. Acetosella, R. scutatus, and R. Patientia. 
They have been employed as pot herbs, and for salads.—R. acetosa is some- 
times used medicinally for its refrigerant, diuretic, and antiscorbutie pro- 
perties. The root of R. Hydrolapathum, Great Water Dock, is astringent 
and antiscorbutic. The roots of R. alpinus are purgative, and were formerly 
employed instead of Rhubarb under the name of Monk’s Rhubarb. The 
substance known as rumicin is prepared from the root of Rumex crispus. It 
is said to possess astringent, tonic, and antiscorbutic properties. 
The two following orders have no close affinities to any other 
orders, and are therefore not put in any cohort by Hooker, but 
placed under the head of ‘ Orders of Dubious Affinities.’ 
Order 1. BatipacE®, the Batis Order.—This supposed dis- 
tinct order only contains a single plant, the Batis maritima, a 
succulent shrubby species, with opposite leaves, and unisexual 
flowers arranged in amenta ; it is a native of the West Indies, 
where it is occasionally used as an ingredient in pickles. Its 
ashes also yield barilla. Some authors regard this genus as 
belonging to Chenopodiaceze. 
Order 2. PopostEMAcEe, the Podostemon Order.— 
Character.—Aquatic herbs with the aspect of Mosses or 
Liverworts. Leaves minute and densely imbricate, or finely 
divided. Flowers minute, generally hermaphrodite, or very 
rarely unisexual, spathaceous. Calyx absent, or of 3 sepals. 
Stamens 1 or many, hypogynous; aithers 2-celled. Ovary 
superior, 2—3-celled ; stigmas 2—3 ; ovules ascending, numerous. 
Fruit capsular, ribbed, with parietal or axile placentation. Seeds 
numerous, exalbuminous, with a straight embryo. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Principally natives of South 
America. Illustrative Genera :—Hydrostachys, Thouars; Podo- 
stemon, L. C. &. There are about 120 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Unimportant. Some species of Lacis 
are used for food on the Rio Negro, &c., in South America ; 
and other plants of the order are eaten by cattle and fish. 
Cohort 2. Lawrales.— Flowers unisexual or hermaphrodite. 
Calyx green or coloured, generally regular. Ovary superior, 
1-celled ; stigma simple; ovule solitary. Seeds albuminous 
or exalbuminous ; embryo straight. 
Order 1. Monimtacem, the Monimia Order.—Diagnosis.— 
Trees or shrubs, with opposite exstipulate leaves. Flowers 
axillary, unisexual. The flowers generally resemble those of the 
Atherospermacez, but they differ in always being unisexual ; 
in the longitudinal dehiscence of their anthers ; in the absence 
of feathery styles to the fruit ; and in their ovules and seeds 
being pendulous. 
