720 LILIACEA. 
succulent. Perianth inferior, generally 6-leaved or 6-partite, 
and regular. Stamens 6, or rarely more, or 3 in Ruscus ; 
anthers introrse. Ovary superior, with axile placentation ; style 
1, usually undivided, or very rarely divided, and sometimes 
absent. Fruit indehiscent or a loculicidal capsule. Seeds 
numerous, albuminous. 
Division of the Order and Illustrative Genera :—This order 
has been divided by Baker into three tribes as follows :— 
Tribe 1. Liliex.—Anthers introrse (fig. 1089). Styles united 
(fig. 646). Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Illustrative Genera: 
Lilium, Linn.; Tulipa, Linn. ; Scilla, Linn. 
Tribe 2. Colchicee.—Authers extrorse. Styles separate (fig. 
1092). Fruit a septicidal capsule (jig. 669). This tribe forms 
the order Melanthacex or Colchicacex of this volume. 
Tribe 3. Asparager.—Fruit baccate. Illustrative Genera: — 
Asparagus, Linn. ; Convallaria, Linn. 
By Bentham and Hooker this order has been divided into 20 
tribes arranged in 3 series, and includes the Colchicacex, Smilacee, 
aud Philesiacex of this volume. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are widely distributed 
throughout the temperate, warm, and tropical regions of the 
globe. There are over 1,360 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order frequently 
possess important properties, but there is no great uniformity 
in them. Some are purgative; others emetic, diuretic, dia- 
phoretic, stimulant, acrid, &c. Several yield astringent sub- 
stances, and many produce valuable fibres. The bulbs, young 
shoots, roots, and seeds of others are highly esteemed, and 
largely consumed as articles of food and condiments. 
Allium.—The bulbs of several species of this genus are well known 
dietetical articles, and are extensively used as condiments under the names 
of Onion, Garlic, Leek, &c. Garlic and Onion are also sometimes employed 
in medicine; thus, externally applied, they are rubefacient, &c., and inter- 
nally administered they are stimulant, expectorant, diuretic, and somewhat 
anthelmintic. Garlic is still official in the United States Pharmacopeeia. 
All the species yield an acrid volatile oil, containing sulphur as one of its 
ingredients. Some species when cultivated in warm dry regions lose much 
of their acridity and powerful taste, as the Portugal, Spanish, and Eeyptian 
Onions.—A. sativum is the common Garlic; A. Cena, the Onion; A. Porrum, 
the Leek; A. Schanoprasum, the Chive; A. Scorodoprasum, the Rocam- 
bole; A. ascalonicum, the Shallot. 
Aloe.—The species of this genus have succulent leaves (fig. 1087,7). The 
purgative drug Aloes is the inspissated juice obtained from the parallel 
brownish-green vessels found beneath the epidermis of the leaves. Several 
commercial varieties of Aloes are known, but the origin of some is not 
accurately determined.—Aloe vulgaris yields the kind called Barbadoes 
Aloes.— A. Perryi has been proved to be the principal, if not the only, 
source of Socotrine Aloes, and also of the kind commonly known as 
Hepatic Aloes, for, as was first shown by Pereira, the difference between 
these two kinds may be readily accounted for by difference of preparation in 
the two respectively. Socotrine and Barbadoes Aloes are official in the British 
