4:a systematic botakt. 



and externally applied, it is irritant, rubefacient, &c. White mustard seeds are 

 also taken in an entire state as stimulants in dyspepsia. 



Crambe maritima, Sea-Kale. — The stem and leaf-stalks of this plant by 

 cultivation, form a delicious vegetable. In the wild state the plant possesses a 

 good deal of acridity, whi^ h is almost entirely removed by cultivation. 



Raphanus sativus. — This is the common Radish so much employed as a 

 salad, (Src. 



Many plants of the order are favourite objects of culture in our gardens, 

 such as the Stock {Matthiola), Wall-flower {Cheiranthus Cheiri), Candy Tuft 

 {Iberfs umbellata). Honesty {Lunaria biennis), &c. 



Natural Order 16. Capparidace^. — The Caper Order. — 

 General Character. — Herbs, shrubs, or rarely t?-ees. Leaves 

 alternate, exstipulate, or rarely with spiny stipulate appendages. 

 Sepals 4 (fig. 642, col), sometimes coliering more or less; estiva- 

 tion imbricate or valvate, equal or unequal. Petals usually 4 ( fig. 

 642, cor), cruciate, imbi'icate, generally unequal and unguiculate, 

 rarely 8, or sometimes none. Stamens numerous, or definite, 

 if 6, very rarely tetradynamous, placed upon a prolonged thala- 

 mus or stalk by which they are raised above the corolla (Jig. 

 642, St). Ovary placed on a gynophore (Jig. 642. ov), or sessile, 

 1 -celled; placentas 2 or more, parietal; sti/le filiform or wanting; 

 ovules amphitropal or campylotropal. Fruit 1 -celled, usually 

 many-seeded, very rarely 1 -seeded, either pod-shaped and 

 dehiscent, or baccate and indehiscent. Seeds generally reniform, 

 without albumen ; embryo curved ; cotyledons leafy. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with alternate leaves. 

 Sepals and petals 4 each, the latter cruciate, and generally 

 unequal Stamens usually numerous, very rarely tetradyna- 

 mous, inserted on a stalk, which raises them above the corolla. 

 Ovary 1 -celled, placentas parietal. Fruit dehiscent or indehiscent, 

 1-celled. Seeds generally reniform; embryo curved; no albumen. 



Division oj" the Order, and Examples of the Genera. — The order 

 is divided into two sub-orders, according to the nature of the 

 fruit, as follows : — 



Sub-order 1. Cleomece. — Fruit capsular. Examples: — Gynan- 

 dropsis, Cleome, Physostemon. 



Sub-order 2. Capparece. — Fruit baccate. Examples: — Cadada, 

 Capparis. 



Distribution and Numbers. — The plants of the order Cappari- 

 dacca; are chiefly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of 

 the globe. In Africa they are especially abundant. The com- 

 mon Caper (Capparis spinosa), which inhabits rocky places in 

 the soutli of Europe, is the only European species of this order, 

 and also that one which is found farthest north. There are 28 

 genera, and 340 species. 



Properties and Uses. — In their properties the plants of this 

 order resemble in many respects ihe Crucifera\ being generally 

 ])ungont, stimulant, and antiscorbutic. Some are aperient, 

 diuretic, and antlu-lniintic. In some plants the ]iungent jirin- 

 ciple is so concentrated, or probably is in itself deleterious, that 



