PETALOIDE^. 667 



and fragrance of their flowers, are of little importance in an 

 economical or medicinal point of -view. Some are aromatic and 

 fragrant, others possess nutritious roots, and some produce 

 a colouring matter like indigo. 



Vanilla playiifolia. V. armnatica, V. guianensis, V. palmarum, V. pom- 

 pona, and other species, are remarkable for their fragrant odoriterous Iruir, 

 which constitutes the Vanilla or \' anile of the shops. Vanilla is extensively 

 used in flavouring chocolate, and also in confectionar}'. and in perfumery. It 

 has been also employed on the Continent as a medicinal agent, in hysteria, &c. 

 The fruits of I'.planifolia and V. aroniatica are commonly regarded as the 

 most fragrant. 



Sobr alia. — The fruit of a species of Sobralia is said to yield in Panama a 

 kind of Vanilla which is called chica. 



Angrcecum fi agrans —The dried leaves of this fragrant species are used as a 

 kind of tea in the Mauritius. '1 his is commonly knewn as Faham or Bourbon 

 tea. 



Eulophia vera and E. campestris.— The tubercular roots of these species 

 are used in India in the preparation of the nutritious substance known by the 

 names of Salep, Salop, and Saloop. 



Orchis. — The root of several species of this genus, as those of 0. mascula, 

 0. laiifolia, 0. murio. ^c, when dried, form European or Indigenous Salep. 

 That prepared from 0. mascula is said to be the best. Salep contains basso- 

 Tine and a little starch, and possesses similar properties to those of other 

 starches and mucilaginous substances. 



Natural Order 248. Apostasiace^, — The Apostasia 

 Order. — Herbs, with regular hermaphrodite flowers. Perianth 

 superior, regular, with 6 divisions. Stamens 2 or 3, united 

 by their filaments with the lower part of the style into a 

 column ; an /^ers sessile upon the column, 2 or 3. Oyc/r^ inferior, 

 3-celled, with axile placentation ; ovules numerous ; style united 

 below to the filaments into a column, but prolonged above into 

 a filiform process. Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved. Seeds very 

 numerous. 



Distribution, ^c Natives of damp woods in tropical India. 



Examples : — Apostasia, Xeuwiedia. There are 3 genera, and 5 

 species. Their properties are altogether unknown. 



Natural Order 249. Burmanniace^. — The Burmannia 

 Order. — Herbaceous plants, without true leaves, or -sWth 

 tufted radical ones. Flowers hermaphrodite, regular. Perianth 

 tubular, regular, superior, usually with 6 divisions. Stamens 

 inserted into the tube of the calyx, 3 or 6, distinct. Ovary 

 inferior, 1-celled with 3 parietal placentas, or 3-celled with axile 

 placentas. Capsule! — 3-celled. 5eecfe numerous, very minute ; 

 embryo solid. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are principally found in the tropical 

 parts of Asia, Africa and America, Examples : — Bm-mannia, 

 Apteria, Thismia. According to Miers, there are 10 genera, 

 and 38 species. They have no important properties. 



Natural Order 250. ZiNGiBERACEiE. — The Ginger Order. 

 — Aromatic herbaceous plants, with a creeping rhizome, and 

 broad, simple, stalked, sheathing leaves, with parallel veins 

 springing from the mid-rib. Flowers arranged in a spiked or 

 racemose manner, and arising from spathaceous bracks. Periantli 



