674 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



the perianth ; anthers introrse. Ovary inferior, 1 — 3-celled. 

 Fruit dehiscent or indehiscent, covered by the withered perianth. 

 Seeds few or numerous, with cartilaginous albumen, and radicle 

 remote from the hilum. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives of America, the Cape of Good 

 Hope, and Australia. Examples : — Hsemodorum, Lachnanthes, 

 Conostylis, Vellozia. There are 13 genera, and 50 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The roots of some species are used as 

 dyeing agents in North America, others are edible, and some 

 are bitter and astringent. 



Ha;modorum The roots of several species, as those of H. paniculatuni and 



spicatum, are roasted and eaten by the natives ol' certain parts of Australia, 

 The roots contain a red colouring matter. 



Lachnanthes tinctoria has a blood-red root, which is used for dyeing in 

 North America. 



Aletris furinosa is remarkable for its bitterness. It is reputed to possess 

 tonic and stomachic properties. 



Natural Order 257. TACCACEiE. — The Tacca Order. — Peren- 

 nial herbaceous plants with fleshy roots. Leaves with parallel 

 veins, radical, stalked. Perianth tubular, regular, 6-parted, su- 

 perior. Stamens 6, inserted into the base of the divisions of 

 the perianth, with petaloid filaments hooded at the apex; anthers 

 2-celled, placed in the concavity below the apex of the filaments. 

 Ovary inferior, 1 -celled, with 3 parietal placentas projecting more 

 or less into the interior; styles 3. Fruit baccate. Seeds nume- 

 rous, with fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives of damp places in the hot parts of 

 India, Africa, and the South Sea Islands. Examples : — Tacca, 

 Ataccia. There are 2 genera, and 8 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The roots are bitter and acrid, but 

 when cultivated they become larger, and lose in some degree 

 their acridity and bitterness and contain much starch, which 

 when separated is used as food. 



Tacca The roots of T. oceanica yield the starch known as Tacca starch, 



Tahiti Arrow- root, or Otaheite Salep. It may be employed as a substitute 

 for West Indian Arrow-root. C;ikes made from this starch are eaten by the 

 natives of Otaheite and the other Society Islands. This plant is commonly 

 cultivated in the Society Islands. T . pinnatifida is by some considered to be 

 identical with the former species. Like it, the roots contain starch, which 

 when extracted is used as food by the inhabitants of China, Cochin China, and 

 Travancore, &c. 



Natural Order 258. Bromeliace^. . — The Pine-Apple or 

 Bromclia Order. — Herbs or somewhat woody plants, com- 

 monly epiphytical. Leaves persistent, crowded, channelled, 

 rigid, sheathing at base, and frequently scurfy and with spiny 

 margins. Flowers showy. Perianth superior, or nearly or 

 quite inferior, arranged in two whorls, the outer of which has 

 its parts commonly united into a tube; and the inner, has its 

 parts distinct, imbricated, and of a different colour to those 

 of the outer whorl. Slamejis 6 ; anthers introrse. Ovary 3-celled; 



