PETALOIDE^. 675 



Style 1. Fruit {fig. 706, 2), capsular or indehiscent, 3-celled. 

 Seeds numerous; embryo minute, in the base of mealy albumen, 

 with the radicle next the hilum. 



Distribution, ^c. — They are mostly found in the tropical 

 regions of America, West Africa, and the East Indies. They 

 appear to have been originally natives of America and the 

 adjoining islands, but they are now naturahsed in West Africa 

 and the East Indies. Examples: — Ananassa, Bromelia, Bill- 

 bergia, Tillandsia. There are 28 genera, and about 175 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are chiefly important for yield- 

 ing edible fruits, and useful fibrous materials. Some are anthel- 

 mintic, and others contain colouring matters. 



Ananassa sativa, the Pine-apple {Jig. 706, 2). The collertive fruit of 

 this species, which is called a sorosis, is the well-known and delicious fruit, 

 the Pine-apple. A large number are now imported into Britain, chiefly from 

 the Bahama Islands, but in flavour, &c., they are very inferior to the fruits 

 produced in this country. The unripe fruit possesses anthelmintic properties. 

 The fibre obtained from the leaves of this species, as well as that from one or 

 more species oi Broniflia and Tillandsia, is known under the name of Pine- 

 apple fibie, and has been used for various textile fabrics, and for paper, 

 cordage, &c. 



Brumelia Pinguin possesses vermifuge properties. Its leaves yield useful 

 fibres. 



Billbergia tinctoria. — In Brazil a yellow colouring agent is obtained from its 

 roots. 



Tillandsia usneoides is commonly called Tree-beard or Old Man's Beard, 

 from the fact of its forming a mass of dark coloured fibres, which hang from 

 the trees in South America, like certain of the Lichens in cold climates. 

 This article has been imported under the name of Spanish Moss, and em- 

 ployed for stuflSng cushions, &c., mixed with horse-hair. It has been also 

 used for stuffing birds. 



2. Hypogynse. 



Natural Order 259. Liliace^. — The Lily Order (figs. 

 1042— 1047). —Herbs (fig. 225), shrubs (fig. 386), or trees 

 (fig. 186), with bulbs (figs. 222 — 225), rhizomes (fig. 

 217), tuberous or fibrous roots. Stem simple or branched. 

 Leaves with parallel veins (fig. 225), sessile or sheathing. 

 Flowers regular (figs. 406, 424 and 1043). Perianth green or 

 petaloid, inferior (figs. 424 and 1045), 6- leaved or 6 -parted (figs. 

 424 and 1042). Stamens 6 (figs. 424, 510 and 1042), inserted 

 in the perianth, or rai-ely on the thalamus; anthers introrse 

 (figs. 510 and 1045). Ovary superior (figs. 424, 510 and 

 1045), 3-celled (figs. 1042 and 1046); stylel (fig. 1045); 

 stigma simple (fig. 424) or 3-lobed (fig. 633). Fruit a loculi- 

 cidal capsule, or succulent and indehiscent, 3-celled (fig. 1046). 

 Seeds with fleshy albumen (fig. 1047), numerous. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are widely distributed throughout 

 the temperate, warm, and tropical regions of the globe. Ex- 

 amples : — Tulipa, Fritillaria, Lilium, Funkia, Phormium, Aloe, 

 Yucca, Allium, Scilla, Hyacinthus, Zephrya, Asphodelus, 

 Aphyllanthes, Xanthorrhoea, Wachendorfia, Asparagus, Tupistra, 

 Ophiopogon. There are 147 genera, and about 1200 species. 

 X X 2 



