564 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



supposes it to be an exurtation from the stem of Opdidia galhanifera, but of 

 this there is no proof. By Don it has been referred to Galbanum officinale. 



Natural Order 121. AKALiACEiE. — The Ivy Order, — General 

 Character. — Trees, shrubs, or herbs. Leaves alternate {fig. 

 203), without stipules. Flowers generally in umbels, or capitate, 

 usually perfect {fig. 941), or rarely unisexual. Calyx more or 

 less superior {fig. 941), entire or toothed. Petals {fig. 941), 2, 

 4, 5, 10, deciduous, almost always valvate in estivation, or rarely 

 imbricate, generally distinct, or rarely monopetalous, occasionally 

 wanting. Stamens corresponding in number to the petals, and 

 alternate with them {fig. 941), or twice as many, inserted 

 on the outside of a disk which crowns the ovary ; anthers 

 turned inwards (^^f. 941), with longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary 

 (^fig. 941), more or less inferior, usually with more than 

 2 cells, or very rarely 1 -celled, crowned by a disk, each cell 

 ■p. Q., with a solitary pendulous anatropal 



'^' * ovule ; styles as many as the cells, some- 



times united ; stigmas simple. Fruit 

 usually 3 or more celled, succulent or 

 dry, each cell with 1 pendulous seed 

 with fleshy albumen. 



Diagnosis. — Closely allied to Umbel- 

 liferce, from which it may be usually 

 distinguished by the valvate aestivation of 

 the corolla ; by having commonly more 

 than 2 cells and 2 styles to the ovary; 

 by the fruit being 3 or more celled, 

 the carpels of which do not separate 

 when ripe from a forked carpophore; 

 Fig. 941. Flower of the com- and from the sccd possessing fleshy 



men Ivy {Hedera Helix). ,, mi. • i ^ ^ 



albumen. 1 here is also a gi-eater ten- 

 dency among Araliacea to form a woody stem than in Umbelli- 

 fercE. 



Distribution, ^-c. — These plants are universally distributed, 

 being found in tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, and the coldest 

 regions. Examples : — Panax, Aralia, Iledera, Adoxa, Gunnera. 

 There are 21 genera, and 160 species. 



Properties and Uses. — It must be regarded as a somewhat re- 

 markable fact, tliat nearly allied as the Aruliaceai are to the Um- 

 beUifcrai, they never possess to any degree, the poisonous pro- 

 perties which are frequently found in plants of that order. The 

 Arahacea) are generally stimulant, aromatic, diaphoretic, and 

 somewhat tonic. 



Panax Schinseng or Ginseng. — The root of this plant is the Asiatic Gin- 

 seng which is so liiglily prized by the Chinese as a stimulant and aphrodisiac, 

 that thej; will sometimes give for it its weight in gold. It is thought very 

 little of in Kurojje. /'. quinqnefolium, is a native of North America. Its 

 root is known under the name of American Ginseng. It has similar proper- 

 ties to the preceding. 



