COROLLIFLOR^. 575 



rounded by an involucre. Calyx {fig. 951) superior, with a 

 membranous or pappose limb, and surrounded by an involucel. 

 Corolla {fig. 951) tubular, monopetalous, the limb 4 — 5-lobed, 

 generally irregular {fig. 405), and with an imbricated sestivation. 

 Stamens 4 epipetalous (^^r. 951); anthers distinct. Ovary in- 

 ferior (fig. 951), 1 -celled; ovules solitary, pendulous; style and 

 stigma simple. Fruit dry, indehiscent, surmounted by the 

 pappus-like calyx (figs. 453 and 950). Seed with fleshy al- 

 bumen, and having a straight embryo, and a superior radicle. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Chiefly natives of the south of Europe, and 

 of North and South Africa. A few species are found in this 

 country. Examples : — Dipsacus, Knautia, Scabiosa. There 

 are 6 genera, and 150 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Some are reputed to possess astringent 

 and febrifugal properties, but as remedial agents they are alto- 

 gether unimportant. 



Dipsacus FuUonum, Fuller's Teazel — The dried capltula are used by 

 fullers in dressing cloth, for which they are well adapted, as their hard, stiff, 

 hooked bracts, raise the nap, without tearing the stuff like metal instruments. 



Scabiosa svccisa, is called the Devil's-bit Scabious, on account of its 

 abruptly terminated root (Jig. 253). It is said to be astringent, and to yield a 

 green dye. The inflorescence sometimes developes in an umbellate manner, 

 as in a specimen described by the Author, in the Pharmaceutical Journal, 

 vol. xvii., p. 363, thus exhibiting a marked deviation from the development in 

 capitula, which is the ordinary arrangement in the plants of this order. 



Natural Order 128. Caltcerace^. — The Calycera Order. — 

 Herbs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate. Flowers in capitula, 

 surrounded by an involucre. Calyx superior, irregular 5- 

 lobed. Corolla monopetalous, regular, valvate, 5-lobed. Sta- 

 mens 5, epipetalous ; filaments monadelphous ; anthers partially 

 united. Ovary inferior, 1 -celled, with a solitary pendulous 

 ovule. Fruit indehiscent. Seed soUtary, pendulous, with fleshy 

 albumen, and a superior radicle. They hold an intermediate 

 position between Dipsacaceae and Compositse, being distin- 

 guished from the former by their alternate leaves, absence of 

 involucel to their individual florets, valvate aestivation of corolla, 

 monadelphous filaments, and partially united anthers : and 

 from the Compositte in their anthers being only partially united, 

 and in their pendulous albuminous seed and superior radicle. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Exclusively natives of South America, 

 especially the cooler parts. Examples : — Boopis, Calycera, 

 Leucocarpus. There are 8 genera belonging to the order. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Natural Order 129. Composite or Asterace^. — The Com- 

 posite Order, — General Character. — Herbs or shrubs. 

 Leaves alternate or opposite, exstipulate. Flowers (florets) 

 hermaphrodite (figs. 952 — 954), or unisexual {fig. 477), aiTanged 

 in capitula (figs. 404 and 420), which are surrounded by an 

 involucre formed of a number of imbricated bracts (phyllaries) 

 (fig. 376) ; the separate florets are also frequently furnished 



