480 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



and astringent properties, and Cratoxylon Hornschuchia is slightly 

 astringent and diuretic. 



Natural Order 37. Reaumiiriaceje. — The Reaumuria Order. 



— This small order was first instituted by Ehrenberg. The 

 plants belonging to it do not differ in any essential characters 

 from Hypericaceae, except that they have a pair of appendages 

 at the bases of the petals, and shaggy seeds with a small quantity 

 of mealy albumen. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives of the coast of the Mediterranean 

 and the salt plains of Northern Asia. Examples : — Hololachna, 

 Reaumuria, Eichwaldia. There are 3 genera, and 4 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants contain much saline 

 matter. A decoction of the leaves of Reaumuria vermiculata 

 is used internally, and the bruised leaves as an external appli- 

 cation, for the cm-e of scabies. 



Natural Order 38. Makcgraviace^. — The Marcgravia 

 Order. — This is a small order of plants which is generally 

 regarded as being allied to Clusiaceae and Hypericaceae. The 

 species belonging to it are chiefly distinguished from Clusiaceae, 

 by their alternate leaves, unsymmetrical flowers, versatile anthers, 

 and very numerous minute seeds. Some genera of the order 

 are remarkable for their peculiar bracts, which become hooded, 

 pouched, or spurred. They are distinguished from Hypericaceae, 

 chiefly by their alternate leaves, unsymmetrical flowers, equal- 

 sided petals, distinct stamens, and sessile stigmas. 



Distribution, ^c. — Generally natives of equinoctial America. 

 Examples : — Ruyschia, Norantea, Marcgravia. There are 4 

 genera, and 26 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Scarcely anything is known of their 

 properties. Marcgravia umbellata is reputed to be diuretic and 

 antisyphilitic. The order is chiefly interesting for the curious 

 pitcher-like bracts which some of their genera exhibit. 



Natural Order 39. Rhizobolace^. — The Souari-nut Order. 



— General Character. — Large trees. Leaves opposite, coria- 

 ceous, digitate, exstipulate, with an articulated stalk. Sepals 

 .5 or 6, more or less coherent, imbricated. Petals 5 to 8, unequal. 

 Stamens very numerous, slightly monadelphous, in two whorls, 

 the inner shorter and often abortive, inserted with the petals 

 on a hypogynous disk ; anthers 2-celled with longitudinal de- 

 hiscence. Ovary 4, 5, or many-celled ; styles short, as many as 

 the cells of the ovary ; stigmas small ; ovules solitary, attached 

 to the axis. Fruit consisting of several combined, indehisccnt, 

 1-seedcd nuts. -SeeJ reniform, exalbuminous, with the funiculus 

 expanded so as to form a spongy excrescence ; radicle very 

 largo, forming nearly the whole of the nucleus ; cotyledons very 

 small (fig. 749). 



Diagnosis — Large trees, with opposite, digitate, exstipulate 

 leaves, with an articulated stalk. Flowers regular, hypogynous. 



