546 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



polypetalous ; and in the fertile flowers having as many scales as 

 there are petals, and placed opposite to them. 



Distribution, ^c. — Exclusively natives of the hotter parts of 

 India, Examples : — Pangium, Hydnocarpus. There are 3 

 genera, and 4 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are all more or less poisonous. 

 It is said, however, that by boiling, and maceration afterwards 

 in cold water that the poisonous properties may, in some cases, 

 be got rid of, as in the seeds of Pangium edule, the kernels of 

 which are used as a condiment, and for mixing in curry, &c. 

 Even these, however, according to Horsfield, act as a cathartic 

 upon those unaccustomed to their use. 



hydnocarpus venenatus has a poisonous fruit, which is used in Ceylon for 

 poisoning fisli. The seeds of H. ndoratus, termed Chaulmoogra, sire said 

 to be very useful in some cutaneous affections, for which purpose they are 

 much employed in India. Other plants of the order have similar properties. 



2. Epigynae. 

 Natural Order 99. Cdcurbitace^. — The Gourd or Cucumber 

 Order. — G cneralCharacte r.— Herbs, generally of a succulent 

 nature, and either prostrate, or climbing by means of tendrils. 

 Leaves succulent, alternate, with a radiate venation (Jig 289), 

 more or less scabrous. Flowers unisexual (figs. 930 and 931), 

 monoecious or dioecious. Calyx monosepalous, 5-toothed (fig. 

 930), the limb sometimes obsolete, superior in the female flowers. 

 Coro//a monopetalous(^^s. 930 and 931), 4 — 5 -parted, sometimes 

 fringed, with evident reticulated veins, perigynous. Barren 

 flower: — Stamens usually 5, epipetalous (fig. 931), either distinct, 

 or monadelphous, or triadelphous in such a way that two of the 



Fig. 930. 



Fig. 931. 



Fig. OfU). Female or pistilliferous flower of the cucumber (Cucumii gntinus). 

 CO. Calyx adherent to the ovary, the limb is seen above, with five divisions. 



p. Corolla. «. Stigmog. i-Yj/. ail. Male or staminiferous flower of the 



same, the floral envelopes of which have been divided in a longitudinal 

 manner. From Jussleu. c. Calyx, p. Corolla, st. Stamens. 



