GNETACEA. 745 
of a single erect naked ovule, which is either terminal or placed 
in the axil of a bract. Seed small, usually more or less sur- 
rounded by a cup-shaped fleshy mass or aril (jigs. 727 and 
1116, ar), albuminous (fig. 1116, alb) ; embryo straight (fig. 
1116, pl). This order is now frequently included in the Conifere, 
forming the tribe or sub-order Taxex or Taxinex. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of the mountains of 
tropical countries, and of temperate’ regions. Illustrative 
Genera :—Taxus, Linn. ; Salisburia, Smith. There are about 
50 species. 
Lroperties and Uses.—In their general properties they re- 
semble the Coniferz. 
Dacrydium—D.. Franklinii, the Huon Pine of Australia.—The wood is 
valuable for ship-building. Other species, as D. taxifolium, the Kakaterro 
of New Zealand, and D. cupressinum, the Dimon Pine, are also valuable 
timber trees. 
Podocarpus Totarra and some other New Zealand species are valuable 
timber trees.—P. cupressina (imbricata), a native of Java, yields a crystal- 
line resin. 
Taxus baccata, the common Yew, produces extremely durable and valu- 
able timber. Its leaves and young branches act asa narcotico-acrid poison, 
both to the human subject and other animals. But they would seem to be 
most injurious to horses and cows ; indeed, it is stated that sheep, deer, and 
turkeys will crop Yew trees with impunity. But this is certainly incorrect 
so far as sheep and deer at least, as these animals have been killed by eating 
Yew leaves. It is also frequently said that animals may feed upon the 
young growing shoots without any injurious effect being produced, but that 
when these have been cut off, and left upon the ground for a short time, 
they are then poisonous. This notion is, however, altogether erroneous, for 
the shoots are poisonous whether fresh or dried. Fatal cases of poisoning 
have also occurred from eating the so-called fruit. (See page 323.) The 
red succulent cup of this fruit is, however, harmless, the contained seed alone 
being poisonous. Yew leaves and the fruits, have been given medicinally 
for their emmenagogue, sedative, and antispasmodic effects. According to 
Dr. Taylor, ‘ Yew-tree tea’ is sometimes taken to cause abortion. 
Order 3. GNETACE®, the Jointed Fir Order.—Character. 
Small trees or shrubs, with usually jointed stems and branches. 
Leaves opposite, entire, net- or parallel-veined, or sometimes 
small and scale-like. Flowers unisexual or rarely hermaphrodite, 
in catkins or heads. Male flowers with a 1-leaved calyx ; anthers 
2—3-celled, with porous dehiscence. Female flower naked or 
surrounded by 2 more or less combined scales; ovules 1—2, 
naked, pointed by a style-like process. Seed succulent ; embryo 
dicotyledonous, in the axis of fleshy albumen. 
Distribution and Numbers.—These plants occur in both 
tropical and temperate regions. There are 3 genera—Ephedra, 
Linn.; Welwitschia, Reichb. ; and Gnetum, Linn.; and about 
00 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Unimportant. The seeds and leaves 
of several species are eaten. Some Hphedras are astringent. 
A new drug from Texas, known under the name of Canutillo, 
