COKOLLIFLOE^. 573 



as formed partly of leaves, and partly of stipules resembling 

 the true leaves in form and appearance. The above an'ange- 

 ment of the Cinchonaceae and Galiacete is in accordance with 

 the views of Lindley. 



Distribution, ^c. — The plants of this order are common weeds 

 in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. They are 

 also found inhabiting high mountainous districts in Peru, 

 Chili, and Australia. Examples: — Gahum, Rubia, Asperula, 

 Sherardia. There 10 genera, and 320 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are chiefly remarkable for the 

 presence of a colouring matter in their roots, and hence are used 

 in dyeing. Some are reputed to possess tonic, diuretic, and 

 emmenagogue properties, and the roasted seeds of certain spe- 

 cies have been employed as substitutes for coffee. 



Galium Aparine, Goose-grass, or Cleavers. — The inspissated juice or 

 extract of this plant, has been used with success in lepra and some other 

 cutaneous diseases. Its roasted seeds have been employed as a substitute for 

 coflFee. The extract of G. rigidum, and G. Mollugo, have been employed in 

 epilepsy. 



Rubia tinctorum — The root of this plant is known under the name of 

 Madder, and is one of the most important of dyes. It is largely cultivated in 

 France, Holland, the Levant, &c. Madder is' imported in two forms, namely, 

 in the entire root, and in a ground state. There are four kinds of Dutch 

 Madder, known respectively as crops (the best), ovibro,g(imene,B.n6. mull (the 

 worst). In the living state, madder-root only contains a yellow colouring 

 principle, but no less than five colouring matters have been obtained from 

 the madder of commerce, called respectively madder purple {purpurine), red 

 {alizarine), orange, yellow, and brown. It would appear, therefore, that these 

 must be all derived from the single yellow colouring principle. Besides its use 

 as a dyeing material, madder was long employed in medicine as a tonic and diu- 

 retic, and has been regarded as a valuable emmenagogue. Besides the roots of 

 R. tinctorum, those of other species are employed in different parts of the 

 world for dyeing : thus, the roots of R.cordifolia or munjista, a native of the 

 East Indies, are used in Bengal, &c., as madder; and are occasionally imported 

 into this country under the name of munjeet. The roots of R. Relboun are 

 also employed in Chili for dyeing. 



Natural Order 125. Columelliace^. — The Columellia 

 Order. — Evergreen shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite, ex- 

 stipulate. Flowers unsymmetrical, yellow, terminal Calyx 

 superior, 5-parted. Corolla monopetalous, rotate, 5 — 8-parted, 

 imbricated. Stamens 2, epipetalous ; anthers sinuous, with 

 longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary inferior, 2-celled, surmounted 

 by a fleshy disk. Fruit a 2-celled, many-seeded capsule. 

 Seeds with fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, Sec. — Natives of Mexico and Peru. It only 

 contains the genus Columellia, which includes 3 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Natural Order 126. Valeeiaxace^. — The Valerian Order. 

 — Herbs. Leaves opposite, exstipulate. Flowers cymose, 

 hermaphrodite {figs. 480 and 481), or rarely unisexual. Calyx 

 superior {fig. 949 cd), with the limb obsolete, or membranous, 

 or pappose. Corolla monopetalous {figs. 480 and 481), tubular, 

 imbricated, 3 — 6-lobed, regular or iiTegular, sometimes spurred 



