CALTCIFLOR^. 537 



Sub-Ordor 5. Pomeje. — Many plants of this sub-order yield edible fruits, 

 and from their seeds hydrocyanic acid may be frequently obtained. The flowers 

 of several are celebrated for their beauty. 



Cydonia vulgaris, the Common Quince — The fruit is frequently mixed 

 with apples in making pies or tarts, and is much esteemed for the preparation of 

 a kind of marmalade and for other purposes by the confectioner. In the rind, 

 cenanthic ether has been found by Wohler, to which its peculiar fragrance is 

 due. The seeds contain much mucilage, which is nutritive, emollient, and 

 demulcent. The seeds are said to yield hydrocyanic acid. 



Pyrus. — Some species of this genus produce edible fruits. Pyrus Malus 

 and its varieties produce the different kinds of Apples. P. conununis is the 

 Pear-Tree. The wood of the latter is sometimes used by wood-engravers in- 

 stead of box. P. Aucuparia is the Mountain Ash or Rowan-Tree. Its 

 flowers, root, and bark, yield hydrocyanic acid, and therefore, probably possess 

 sedative properties. P. Aria is the Beam Tree, the timber of which is used 

 for axle-trees and other purposes. P. domestica is the Service Tree, and 

 P. tormi7talis the Wild Service Tree. 



Mespilus germanica yields the fruit called the Medlar, of which there are 

 several varieties. 



Amelanchier canadensis.— The fruit is known in Rupert's Land, &c., under 

 the name of Shad-berry or Service-berry. It is used for mixing with Pemi- 

 can. an article of Arctic diet. (See p. 535. Cerasus.) 



Eriobotrya japonica produces a fruit called the Loquat. 



CratcFgus Oxyacantha is tiie Whitethorn or Hawthorn Tree, so well known 

 for the beauty of its flowers. Sec. In some places the name of May is given to 

 it, from its usually flowering in that month. 



Natural Order 83. Caltcanthace^. — The Calycanthus 

 Order. — Diagnosis. — These are shrubby plants resembling the 

 Bosacece, but they differ in having opposite leaves, which are 

 always simple, entire, and exstipulate; in their sepals and petals 

 being numerous, and similar in appearance ; in having stamens 

 whose anthers are adnate, and turned outwards; and by having 

 convolute cotyledons. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are natives of Japan and North 

 America. Exaviples : — Calycanthus, Chimonanthus. These are 

 the only 2 genera, which include 6 species. 



Properties and Uses.— The flowers are fragrant and aromatic. 

 The bark of Calycanthus Jloridus, Carolina Allspice, is some- 

 times used in the United States as a substitute for Cinnamon 

 bark. 



Natural Order 84. LTTHRACE.a:. — The Loosestrife Order. — 

 General Character. — Herbs or rarely shrubs, frequently 4- 

 sided. Leaves opposite, or rarely alternate, entire and exstipulate. 

 Flowers regular or irregular. Calyx {fig. 926) persistent, ribbed, 

 tubular below, the lobes with a valvate or distant aestivation, 

 sometimes with intermediate teeth (^fig. 926). Petals inserted 

 between the lobes of the calyx and alternate with them {fig. 

 925), sometimes wanting, very deciduous. Stamens perigynous, 

 'inserted below the petals (fig. 925), to which they are equal in 

 number, or twice as many, or even more numerous; anthers 

 adnate, 2-celled (fig. 925), opening longitudinally. Ovary 

 superior (fig. 925), 1, 2, or 6-celled; ovules numerous, or rarely 

 few; style 1, filiform (fig. 925); stigma capitate, or rarely 2- 

 lobed. Fruit capsular, membranous, dehiscent, surrounded by 

 the non-adherent calyx. Seeds numerous, with or without 



