RAFFLESIACEA. 683 
tary and sessile, or clustered at the end of a scaly stem. Calyx 
tubular at the base, 3—6-partite. Avthers sessile, opening 
longitudinally. Ovary 1-celled, inferior; ovules very numer- 
ous; placentas parietal. Fruit 1-celled, with numerous seeds 
imbedded in pulp. Seeds with or without albumen ; embryo 
minute, amorphous or dicotyledonous. This and the next order 
are frequently combined together in one order, Cytinaceer. 
Distribution and Nwmbers.-——Parasitie on the roots of Cistus, 
and upon fleshy Euphorbiaceze and other succulent plants. 
They occur in the South of Europe and Africa. Illustrative 
Genera :—Cytinus, Linn. ; Hydnora, Thunb. There are about 
7 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Some have astringent properties, as 
Cytinus Hypocistus. A kind of extract is made from this plant 
in the South of Europe, and used, under the name of Succus 
Hupocistidis, in diarrhoea, and for arresting hemorrhage.— Hyd- 
nora africana has a putrid-animal odour, but when 1oasted it is 
eaten by the native Africans at the Cape of Good Hope. 
: Order 3. RAFFLESIACE®, the Rafflesia Order.—Charac- 
ter.— Root-parasites, devoid of chlorophyll, without evident 
stems or leaves, and with a fungoid texture. These plants 
consist essentially of flowers (fig. 258) sessile upon the branches 
of trees, and surrounded by scaly bracts. The flowers are herma- 
phrodite, or unisexual and dicecious. Calyx 5-partite (fig. 258), 
tubular ; the throat surrounded by a number of thickened scaly 
processes, which are either distinct from each other or united 
into a ring. Avnthers placed upon a column which adheres to 
the calyx, 2-celled ; and either distinct, and each opening by a 
pore, or united into a many-celled body, and opening by a 
common pore. Ovary 1-celled, inferior ; ovules very numerous ; 
placentas parietal.. Fruit indehiscent. Seeds very numerous, 
with or without albumen ; embryo amorphous or dicotyledonous. 
This order, as mentioned abure, is sometimes included in Cytinaceer. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Parasitic upon the stems of Cissi 
in the East Indies, and on Leguminous plants in South America. 
Illustrative Genera :—Rafflesia, FR. Br.; Brugmansia, Blum. 
There are about 16 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Some have styptic and astringent pro- 
perties. They are chiefly remarkable for their flowers, some of 
which are of gigantic size. (See page 132). 
Cohort 2. Quernales.—Flowers unisexual ; male clustered or in 
catkins ; female solitary, clustered, or in catkins. Calyx 
green, in the male flowers reduced to a scale, or lobed ; in 
the female flowers 2—6-lobed or toothed. Ovary inferior, 
1—6-celled. Ovule 1, erect, or 1 or more, pendulous. Fruit 
usually 1-seeded. Seeds exalbuminous. Trees or shrubs. 
Leaves simple or pinnate, alternate. 
