THALAMIFLOR^. 455 



they are very poisonous. The more important plants are as 

 follows: — 



Cleome.— Some species are very pungent, and are used as condiments like 

 our mustard. 



Polanixia — Some species of this genus are also employed like mustard. 

 The root of P. icosandra is used internally as a vermifuge, andexternally as a 

 rubefacient, &c. 



Cadaba indica. — The root is reputed to he aperient and anthelmintic 



Capparis. — The flower-buds of various species of this genus are used to form 

 the well-known pickle called Capers. Thus : Capparis spinosa, is that em- 

 ployed in the South of Europe, C Fowte7«mMn Barbary, and C.tegyptiaca 

 in Egypt. C. ceoyptiaca is stated to be the Hyssop of Scripture. Capers are 

 stimulant, antiscorbutic, and aperient. The fruit of one species, said to be 

 allied to C. pulcherrima, and which is found in the neighbourhood of Car- 

 thagena, is extremely poisonous. 



Natural Order 1 7. Resedace^. — The Mignonette Order. — 

 General Character. — Herbs, or rarely small shrubs. Leaves 

 alternate, entire or divided, with glandular appendages at their 

 base. Cali/x -with from 4: — 7 divisions. Petals 2 — 7, lacerated 

 (^^- 484), unequal. Z>MAfleshy,hypogy nous, one-sided. Stamens 

 definite, inserted on the disk. Ovary sessile, 1-celled (Jig. 606); 

 placentas 3 (Jig. 606,;?/), or 6, parietal; stigmas 3, sessile. Fruit 

 opening at the apex long before the seeds are ripe (Jig. 650), 

 1-celled, and with 3 or 6 parietal placentas; or consisting 'of 

 empty carpels surrounding a central placenta. Seeds usually 

 numerous, reniform; embryo without albumen. 



Diagnosis. — Usually herbs, with alternate leaves and unsym- 

 metrical flowers. Disk large, hypogynous, one-sided. Stamens 

 definite, not tetradynamous. Ovary sessile, 1 -celled; placentas 

 3 — 6, parietal; stigmas 3, sessile. Fruit usually opening early at 

 its apex. Seeds usually numerous, reniform, exalbuminous. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are chiefly natives of Europe and the 

 adjoining parts of Africa and Asia. A few occur in the north 

 of India, Cape of Good Hope, and California. Example: — Re- 

 seda. There are 6 genera, and 41 species. 



Properties and Uses. — But little is known of their properties. 

 They are generally somewhat acrid, and were formerly supposed 

 to be sedative. The only genus of importance is: — 



Reseda. — Thus Reseda odorata is the Mignonette plant which is so much 

 esteemed for the fragrance of its flowers. Reseda luteola, a common plant in 

 this country, and known under the name of Weld, yields a yellow dye. 



Natural Order 1 8. Cistace^. — The Rock-Rose Order (Jigs. 

 868 and 869). — General Character, — Shrubs or herbs, often 

 viscid- Leaves opposite or alternate, entire, stipulate or exsti- 

 pulate. Flowers showy. iSepa^usually 5 (7?<7. 868), sometimes 

 3, persistent, unequal ; estivation of the three inner twisted. 

 Petals usually 5 (Jig. 868), very rarely 3, caducous, hypogynous, 

 frequently corrugated in the bud, and twisted in a reverse way 

 to that of the sepals. Stamens (Jig. 868) distinct, hypogynous, 

 definite or indefinite. Ovary 1 (Jig. 868) or many-celled; style 

 single ; stigma simple. Fruit capsular, usually 1-celled, witli 



G G 4 



