700 APOSTASIACEZ.—BU RMANNIACEX.—TACCACEA, 
Vanilla planifolia, V. aromatica, V. quianensis, V.palmarum, V. pompona, 
and other species, are remarkable for their fragrant odoriferous fruits, which 
constitute the Vanilla of the shops. Vanilla is extensively used for flavour- 
ing chocolate, and also in confectionery and perfumery. It has been also 
employed on the Continent as a medicinal agent, in hysteria, &c. It is also 
recarded as an aphrodisiac. The fruits of V. planifolia and V. aromatica 
are commonly regarded as the most fragrant. (See also Sobralia.) 
Order 2. AposTasIAcE&, the Apostasia Order. —Charac- 
ter.—Herbs, with regular hermaphrodite flowers. Perianth 
superior, regular, with 6 divisions. Stamens 2 or 3, united by 
their filaments with the lower part of the style into a column ; 
anthers sessile upon the column, 2 or 3. Ovary inferior, 3-celled, 
with axile placentation ; ovules numerous; style united below 
with the filaments into a column, but prolonged above into a 
filiform process. Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved. Seeds very 
numerous. By Bentham and Hceoker this order is included vn 
Orchidacee. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of damp woods in 
tropical India. Jllustrative Genus :—Apostasia, Blume. There 
are about 5 species. Their properties are altogether unknown. 
Cohort 4. Taccales.—Flowers hermaphrodite, regular. Perianth 
6-lobed. Stamens 3 or 6, inserted on the tube of the peri- 
anth. Ovary 1- or 3-celled; placentation usually parietal, 
or sometimes axile. Fruit capsular or baccate. Seeds very 
minute and exalbuminous, or larger and albuminous ; embryo 
very obscure. 
Order 1. BurMANNIACEH, the Burmannia Order.—Cha- 
racter. —Herbaceous plants, without true leaves, or with tufted 
radical ones. Flowers hermaphrodite, regular. Perianth peta- 
loid, tubular, regular, superior, usually with 6 divisions. Sta- 
mens distinct, inserted into the tube of the perianth, either 3 
with introrse anthers, and opposite the inner segments of the 
perianth, or 6 with extrorse anthers. Ovary inferior, 1-celled 
with 3 parietal placentas, or 3-celled with axile placentas ; style 
1; stigmas 3. Fruit capsular, 1—3-celled. Seeds numerous, 
very minute ; embryo solid. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are principally found in 
the tropical parts of Asia, Africa, and America. Illustrative 
Genera: —Burmannia, Linn.; Thismia, Griff. According to 
Miers, there are 38 species. Their properties are unimportant, 
but some are reputed to be bitter and astringent. 
Order 2. Taccacesm, the Tacca Order.—Character.—Per- 
ennial herbs, with fleshy roots. Leaves large, with parallel 
veins, radical, stalked. Flowers hermaphrodite. Perianth tubu- 
lar, regular, 6-partite, superior. Stamens 6, inserted into the 
base of the divisions of the perianth, with petaloid filaments, 
