664 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Properties and Uses. — The species generally possess alter- 

 ative properties. 



Smilax — The roots of several species or varieties of Smilaz, constitute the 

 Sarsapai ilia of the materia medica, which is commonly regarded, and as we he- 

 lievemostjustly so, as an alterative in venereal and skin diseases, in rheumatism, 

 &c. Upwardsof l.'<0,000 lbs. are annually used in this country alone. Several 

 kinds of Sarsaparilla are known, of which the mot esteemed is that which is 

 called Jamaica Sarsaparilla, although it is not the produce of that island, but of 

 Central America and the northern parts of South America. It is obtained 

 from S officinalis. Other kinds of Sarsaparilla distinguisiied in commerce, are 

 Lima, probably from S. ifflcinalis; Lean Vera Cruz, from S. medica; IJsbon 

 or Brazilian, from S. papt/racea, and probably also, from S. (ifflcinalis ; Quote, 

 mala, from >S. papt/racca; Honduras, from I believe, S. papi/racra: and Caracas 

 or Gouty Vera Cruz, probably from S. officinalis and S. syphilitica. Several 

 other species of Smilax are in use in different parts of the world, as S. aspera 

 in the south of Kurope. Its roots form Italian Sarsaparilla. S. China, is com- 

 monly regarded as the source of the China root of the shops. Several spurious 

 China roots are in use in America; their source is doubtful. 



Ripoj^onum parvijlorunt possesses similar properties to Sarsaparilla. It is a 

 native of New Zealand, where it is much used as a curative agent. 



Natural Order 244. Trilliaceje. — The Trillium or Paris 

 Order. — Unbranchcd herbaceous plants, with rhizomes, 

 or tuberous root-stocks. Leaves Avhorled, not articulated, 

 net-veined. Flowers large, terminal, solitary, hermaphrodite. 

 Perianth inferior, with 6 — 8 parts, arranged in 2 rows ; the 

 parts being all alike, or those forming the inner row much 

 larger and coloured. Stamens 6 — 10, with linear apicilar 

 anthers. Ovary superior, 3 — 5-cellcd, Avith a corresponding 

 immbcr of styles and stigmas; placeiitas axilc. Fruit succulent, 

 3 — .5-ccllcd. Seeds numerous, albuminous ; embryo minute. 



Distribution, 8fc. — Natives of the temperate regions of Europe, 

 Asia, and America. Examples. — Paris, Trillium. There are 

 4 genera, and 30 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are reputed 

 narcotic, acrid, emetic, or purgative, but none are employed in 

 regular practice. 



Natural Order 245. Eoxburghiaceje. — The Roxburghia 

 Order. — Twining shrubs, Avith tuberous roots. Zeai^e.? net- 

 veined, leathery, broad. Flowers large and showy, solitary, 

 hermaphrodite. Perianth inferior, with 4 petaloid divisions. 

 Stamens 4, hypogynous ; anthers introrsc, apicilar. Ovary 

 superior, 1-celled, with a basal phicenta ; stigma sessile. Fruit 

 2-valved, 1-celled. Seeds numerous, in 2 stalked clusters, 

 anatropous ; embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^c. — They are natives of the hotter parts of the 

 East Indies. There is but one genus, Koxburghia, and 4 

 species. Tlieir properties are unimportant. 



Natural Order 246. PHiLKSiAOEyi:. — The Philesia Order. — 

 Diagnosis. — Tlie j)lants of this order arc closely allied to the 

 Roxburgh iacea;, from which however, they are readily distin- 

 guished by their hexamerous perianth and andrcecium, perigy- 



