COROLLIFLORiE. 595 



Solenostemma {Cynnnchuni) Argel— The leaves have been much employed 

 to adulterate Alexandrian Senna. (See Cassia, p. o29.) 



Cnlotropis gigantea ov p^-ocera, yields Mudar bark, which has been much 

 employed in India in cutaneous affections. It has been also used as a sub- 

 stitute for ipecacuanha. It contains a principle called mudarine. According 

 to Rovle, Ak or Mudar fibres are obtained from this bark. The bi'rk of the 

 root of C. Hamiltonii possesses similar properties, and is said to yield Yercujn 

 fibres. 



Cynanchum monspeliacnn,, — The expressed juice of this plant mixed with 

 other purgative substances constitutes French or Montpellier Scammony. C. 

 ovnlijolium yields excellent caoutchouc at Penan g. 



Asclepias Curassavicn. — The root is empl'>yed in some of the West Indian 

 islands as an emetic, hence it is termed Bastard Ipecacuanha. From the 

 stems of A. tenacissima, the Jctee or Tongoose fibres are obtained. The root 

 ot A. tuberosa, the Butterfly-weed or Pleurisy-root, is employed in the United 

 States as a diaphoretic and expectorant. A. incarnata. Swamp Silk-weed, is 

 used in North America as an anthelmintic, and in asthma and rheumatism. 



Marsdenia tinctoria, a native of Silhet, produces a kind of indigo. M. te. 

 nacissima has very tenacious fibres which are used for bow-strings by the 

 mountaineers of Rajmahl. 



Gymnema lactifera is the Cow-plant of Ceylon. It yields a nutritious milk 

 which is used as food. 



Natural Order 1 50. Cordiace^. — The Cordia or Sebesten 

 Order, — Trees with alternate scabrous leaves, exstipulate. 

 Calyx and corolla 5-merous ; cestivation of tlie corolla imbri- 

 cated. Stamens 5, alternate with the segments of the corolla; 

 anthers versatile. Ovary 4 — 8 -celled, with 1 pendulous ovule 

 in each cell; stigma 4 — 8-cleft. Fruit drupaceous, 4 — 8-celled, 

 or frequently some of the cells are abortive ; placentas axile. 

 Seeds 1 in each ceil, pendulous by a long cord ; albumen none ; 

 cotyledons plaited longitudinally. 



Distribution, §t. — Natives almost exclusively of tropical 

 regions. Examples : — Cordia, VaiTonia, Sebestena. There 

 are 11 genera, and 180 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The fruits of many species are edible; as 

 those of Cordia Myxa and laiifolia, called Sebestens or Sebesten 

 plums, which are eaten by the natives &c. in India; those of 

 Cordia abyssinica, Wanzey or Vanzey, Avhich are esteemed 

 by the Abyssinians; and the succulent fruits of Varronia 

 rotundifulia which are used to fatten cattle and poultry. The 

 bark of C. Myxa is reputed to be a mild tonic and astringent. 



Natural Order 151. Contolvulace^. — The Convolvulus or 

 Bindweed Order {figs. 969—971). — Herbs or shrubs, generally 

 twining {fig. 205) or trailing, and milky. Leaves {fig. 205) 

 alternate, exstipulate. Calyx {figs. 969 and 970) with 5 deep 

 divisions, much imbricated, persistent. Corolla {figs 969 and 

 970) 5-partite or 5 -plaited, regular, deciduous, without scales 

 in its tube; cestivation plaited. Stamens 5, alternate with the 

 lobes of the corolla {fig. 970). Ovary {fig. 970) 2, 3, or 4-celled, 

 or the carpels are more or less distinct; ovules 1 — 2 in each 

 cell or carpel, erect. Fruit capsular, 1 — 4-celled, with septifragal 

 dehiscence. Embryo {fig. 971) large, curved or coiled in a 

 small quantity of mucilaginous albumen, with foliaceous 

 crumpled cotyledons. 



QQ2 



