COROLLIFLOR^. . 585 



\ 



markable for astringent properties ; others are narcotic, and in 

 some cases even poisonous. This is especially the case with 

 Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron chrysanthuvi, and Azalea pontica. 

 The fruits of many are edible. The species of Erica, Rhodo- 

 dendron, Kalmia, Azalea, ^c are largely cultivated in this 

 country on account of the beauty of their flowers. The three 

 latter genera are commonly called Amei-ican Plants. Such 

 plants are not, however, confined to America as the name would 

 imply. 



Gualtheria procumbens, Partridge Berry — The leaves possess aromatic, 

 astringent, and stimulant properties, wtiich the}' owe to the presence of a 

 volatile oil and tannin. The oil is known under the name of Oil of Partridge 

 Berry, or Oil of Winter Green. An infusion of the leaves is employed in cer- 

 tain parts of North America, as a substitute for China tea, under the name of 

 Mountain or Salvador Tea. 



Arctobtaphylos Uva- Ursi, The Bearberry.— The leaves are astringent, and 

 are frequently emp oyed as medicinal agents in those cases where vegetable 

 astringents are required. They have been also used as an antidote in poison- 

 ing by Ipecacuanha. Combined with astnngency they also possess mild diure- 

 tic properties. 



Rhododendron. — The flowers of R. arboremn are eaten by the hill people of 

 India on account of their narcotic properties. The powdered leaves of R. cam- 

 panulatutnare used as snuff in certain parts of India. The brown pulverulent 

 substance found on the petioles of some Rhododendrons and Kalmias is also 

 used in the United States of America as a substitute for snuff. R. chrysan- 

 thum, a Siberian plant, possesses very markeu narcotic properties. 



Azalea pontica. —TrehizonA honey owes its poisonous properties to the bees 

 feeding on the flowers of this plant. The poisonous honey mentioned by 

 Xenophon in his account of the •' Ketreat of the Ten Thousand, ' was of a like 

 nature. 



Ledum — An infusion of the leaves of L. palustre and L. latifolium is used 

 in North America" as a substitute for China Tea, under the name of Labra- 

 dor Tea, or James' Tea. It possesses narcotic properties. 



Natural Order 137. MoNOTROPACEiE. — The Fir-Eape Order. 

 — Parasitic plants with scaly stems. Sepals more or less 

 distinct, 4—5, inferior. Petals 4— 5, distinct or united. Stamens 

 twice as many as the petals, hypogynous ; anthers 2-celled, 

 with longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary superior, 4 — 5-celled 

 at base, 1- celled with 5 parietal placentas at the apex. Fruit 

 capsular, with locuUcidal dehiscence. Seeds numerous, with a 

 loose testa; embryo minute, at the apex of fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^c. — They are found growing on Firs chiefly, 

 in the cool parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Ex- 

 amples : — Monotropa, H}Tpopithys. There are 6 genera, and 10 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. 



Natural Order 138. Pyrolace^. — The Winter-Green Order. 

 — Herbs or under-shrubs, with naked or leafy stems. Leaves 

 simple, evergreen. Sepals 5, more or less distinct, persistent, 

 inferior. Corolla hypogynous, with 4 — 5 petals, scarcely united 

 at their base. Stamens twice as numerous as the petals, hypo- 

 gynous; anthers 2-celled, with porous dehiscence (Jig. 524). 

 Ovary superior, 4 — 5-ceI!.ed. Fruit capsular, dehiscent; o/a- 



