680 CHLORANTHACEA.—CERATOPHYLLACEA. 
spiked, achlamydeous, hermaphrodite. Stamens 3—6, hypogy- 
nous, persistent. Ovaries 3—4, usually more or less distinct, and 
each with a solitary erect ovule, or sometimes united and with 
_ a few ascending ovules. wit either consisting of 4 fleshy in- 
dehiscent achzenia, or capsular and 3—4-celled. Seeds ascend- 
ing, with a minute embryo in a fleshy sac on the outside of 
hard mealy albumen. This order is included by Bentham and 
Hooker in Piperacex, as the tribe Saurwree. 
Distribution and Numbers.— Natives of North America, 
Northern India, and China. Illustrative Genera :—Saururus, 
Linn. ; Houttuynia, Thunb. There are about 7 species. 
Properties and Uses. —They have acrid properties, and are 
reputed to be emmenagogue. Some are also astringent. 
Anemopsis californica is known in California as ‘ Yerba Mansa,’ and an 
infusion of its roots and the external application of these in powder are re- 
garded as very valuable remedies in venereal sores. The powder is very 
astringent and is also used as an application to cuts and sores. | 
Saururus cernuus, a native of North America, is said to be a valuable 
remedy in inflammatory affections of the genito-urinary organs, and also 
_ externally as a soothing discutient cataplasm. 
Order 3. CHLORANTHACE®, the Chloranthus Order.—C ha- 
racter.—Herbs or widershrubs with jointed stems, which are 
tumid at the nodes. Leaves simple, opposite, sheathing, with 
small interpetiolar stipules. flowers in terminal spikes, 
achlamydeous, with scaly bracts, hermaphrodite or unisexual. 
Stamens 1, or more and united. Ovary 1-celled, with a solitary 
pendulous ovule. Fruit drupaceous. Seed pendulous, with a 
minute embryo (not enclosed in a distinct sac) at the apex of 
fleshy albumen ; radicle inferior. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of tropical regions. 
Illustrative Genera :—Hedyosmum, Swartz; Chloranthus, Swartz. 
There are about 15 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Aromatic stimulant properties are the 
principal characteristics of the plants of this order. 
Chloranthus.—The roots of C. officinalis and C. brachystachys have been 
employed in Java as a stimulant in malignant fevers, and for their antispas- 
modic effects. The flowers of C. inconspicuus are used in China to perfume 
tea. (See Thea.) 
Order 4. CERATOPHYLLACES, the Hornwort Order.—C ha- 
racter.—Aquatic herbs. Leaves verticillate, very finely divided. 
Flowers minute, axillary, sessile, moncecious. Calyx or rather 
imvolucre of bracts, inferior, 8—12-partite. Male flower consist- 
ing of 12—20 stamens; anthers sessile, 2-celled. Female flower 
with a superior 1-celled ovary, and 1 pendulous orthotropous 
ovule. Fruit hard or nut-like, indehiscent. Seed exalbuminous, 
pendulous ; embryo with a large many-leaved plumule, and a 
very short inferior radicle. 
Distribution and Properties.—Natives of the northern hemi- 
