670 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



celled. Ovary inferior, 3-cellecl. Fruit a capsule dehiscing 

 loculicidally, or indehiscent and succulent, 3 -celled. Seeds 

 usually numerous, rarely 3, with mealy albumen ; embryo not 

 enclosed in a vitellus. 



Distribution, ^c. — Generally diffused throughout tropical and 

 sub-tropical regions. Examples: — Heliconia, Musa, Kavenala. 

 There are 4 genera, and 20 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The fruits of some species form most 

 important articles of food in tropical regions. Some yield valu- 

 able textile materials ; and the large leaves of many are used 

 for various purposes, such as a kind of cloth, thatching for 

 cottages, &c. The seeds and fruits of others are used as dyeing 

 agents in some countries. 



Musa The fruits of some species, as those of M. paradisiacn, the Plantain, 



and M. sapientum. the Banana, are well known as import mt articles of food 

 in many tropical regions. They owe their value as food chiefly lo the presence 

 of starch and sugar. Dr. Shier states, that a new plaintain-walk will yield 

 17cwt. of starch per acre. According to Humboldt, the produce of Bananas 

 to that of wheat is as 1.33-1, and to that of popatoes as 44 1. The fibrous ma- 

 terial of the spurious stems of the different species of Musa may be used for 

 textile fabrics, and in paper-making. The fibres obtained from Musa texlilis 

 constitute the Manilla Hemp of commerce. From the finer fibres ot this plant 

 the celebrated Indian muslins are manufactured. The young shoots of the 

 Banana and other species of Musa, are boiled and eaten as a vegetable ; and 

 the large leaves are used for various domestic purposes. 



Ruvenala speciosa, has been called the Water-tree, in consequence of its 

 petioles exuding when cut a quantity of watery-juice. Its seeds are edible. 



Natural Order. 253. iRiDACEiE. — The Iris or Corn-Flag 

 Order (Jigs. 1033 — 1037). — Herbaceous plants, usually with 

 bulbs, conns (Jiqs. 227 and 228), or rhizomes (Jig. 216). 

 Leaves with parallel straight venation, usually equitant (Jig. 

 216). Flowers spathaceous (Jig. 1033), regular (Jig. 1034) 

 or irregular. Perianth superior (^^'.1036), petaloid (Jig. 1034), 

 6-parted, in 2 whorls (Jig. 1033). Stamens 3, inserted on the 

 outer segments of the perianth (Jig. 1034) ; anthers 2-celled ex- 

 trorse. Omr?/infcrior (Jig. 1036), 3 -celled (/^r. 1033) ; style 1 (Jig. 

 1035); stigmas 3, often petaloid (Jigs. 6-29 and 1035). Fruit 

 capsular, 3 -celled, 3-valved, with locuhcidal dehiscence (^fig. 690). 

 Seeds numerous, with horny or hard albumen (Jig. 1037). 



Distribution, Sfc. — Chiefly natives of temperate and warm 

 climates. They are found in various parts of the globe, but are 

 most abundant at the Cape of Good Hope. Examples : — 

 Sisyrinchium, Morasa, Iris, Gladiolus, Ixia, Crocus. There are 

 57 genera, and 557 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The rhizomes of several species pos- 

 sess acrid properties, which renders them purgative, emetic, &c. 

 Some liavc fragrant rhizomes. Others are employed as colour- 

 ing agents, and some fire commonly regarded us antispasmodic, 

 carminative, &c. Many contain starch in large quantities, but 

 as this is commonly combined with acridity, they arc not gene- 

 rally available as food, although some arc stated to be thus era- 

 ])loyed in Africa. 



