512 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Diagnosis. — Hei'bs, or shrubs, with simple leaves, mem- 

 branous stipules, and articulated swollen joints. Flowers 

 usually symmetrical. Sepals 5, imbricated. Petals twisted ia 

 aestivation. Stamens generally somewhat monadelphous. Fruit 

 consisting of 5 carpels attached by means of their styles to 

 an elongated axis or carpophore, from which they separate 

 when ripe from below upwards, by the curUng-up of the 

 styles. Seeds 1 in each carpel, exalbuminous ; embryo con- 

 voluted. 



Distribution, ^c. — Some are distributed over various parts 

 of the world, but they abound at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 Examples : — Erodium, Geranium, Pelargonium. Lindley enu- 

 merates 4 genera, and 500 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Astringent, resinous, and aromatic 

 qualities are the more important properties of the plants of 

 this order. Many are remarkable for the beauty of their flowers. 



Erodium The species are reputed to be astringent. E. moschatum is re- 

 markable for its musky odour. 



Geranium maculalum.— The root of this plant is a powerful astringent, for 

 which purpose it is much used in North America, where it is called Ahim-root. 

 It contains much tannin. G. parviflorujn produces edible tubers, which are 

 known in Van Diemans Land under the name of native carrots. 



PelargoniU7n. — The species of this genus are favourite objects of culture by 

 the gardener, on account of the beauty of their flowers. They are chiefly 

 natives of the Cape of Good Hope, but the species have been much improved 

 by cultivation. They are commonly, but improperly, called Geraniums. In 

 their properties they are generally astringent, but P. triste yields tubers which 

 are eaten at the Cape of Good Hope. 



Natural Order 69. Trop^olace^. — The Indian Cress 

 Order. — General Character. — Smooth twining or trailing 

 herbaceous plants, with an acrid juice. Leaves alternate, ex- 

 stipulate. Flowers axillary. Sepals 3 — 5 {fig. 778), the upper 

 one spurred ifig. 454); valvate, or very slightly imbricated in 

 estivation. Petals {Jig. 11%), I to 5, hypogynous, more or less 

 unequal; cestivation convolute. Stamens {fig. 778) 6 — 10, 

 somewhat perigynous, distinct ; anthers 2-celled. Ovary of 3 

 {fig. 11%) or 5 carpels; style\ ; stigmas 3 or 5. Fruit inde- 

 hiscent, usually consisting of 3 carpels arranged round a com- 

 mon axis, from which they ultimately separate, each carpel 

 containing one seed. Seeds large, exalbuminous ; embryo large; 

 radicle next the hilum. 



Diagnosis. — Smooth trailing or twining herbs, with alter- 

 nate cxstipulatc leaves, and axillary flowers. Flowers irregular 

 and unsyramctrical. Sepals more or less valvate in aestivation, 

 upper one .-ipurrcd. ^Estivation of petals convolute. Stamens 

 more or less perigynous, distinct. Ovary superior, of 3 or 5 

 carpels, with one pendulous ovule in each ; style single. Fruit 

 without a beak, usually composed of three pieces, which are 

 indehiscent, and each contains 1 seed. Seeds large, exal- 

 buminous. 



Distribution, ^-c. — Chiefly natives of South America. Ex- 



