PETALOIDE^. 681 



Properties and Z7ses.— Unimportant. The leaves and roots of 

 some species of Xyris have been employed in certain cutaneous 

 affections. 



Natural Order 266. Philtdraceje. — The Water- wort Order. 

 — Herbs with fibrous roots. Leaves equitant, ensiform, sheath- 

 ing. Flowers surrounded by spathaceous persistent bracts, 

 soUtary. Perianth inferior, in 1 whorl, 2-leaved, petaloid. 

 Stamens 3, 2 of which are abortive ; filaments united. Ovary 

 superior, 3-celled, with axile placentas. Fruit capsular, with 

 locuhcidal dehiscence. Seeds numerous, with an embryo in the 

 axis of fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^c. — They are natives of China and New 

 Holland. There are 2 genera, Philydrum and Hetaeria, and 2 

 species. Their properties and uses are unkno^vn. 



Natural Order 267. Jdncace^. — The Rush Order (^figs. 

 1052, 1053). — Sedge or grass-like herbs, with tufted or fibrous 



Fig. 1052. Fig. 1053. 



Fig. 1052. Flower of a species of Wood-rush (Lmula), with an inferior 

 perianth of 6 divisions, 6 stamens, and a superior ovary with 1 style and 

 3 stigmas. Fig. 1053. Vertical section of the seed of the above. 



roots. Leaves with parallel veins, either fistular, or more or less 

 flattened and grooved. Flowers regular {fig. 1052), usually 

 glumaceous, or sometimes petaloid. Perianth inferior, 6 -parted 

 {fig. 1052), persistent. Stamens 6 {fig. 1052), or 3, perigynous ; 

 anthers introrse, 2-celled. Ovary superior {fig. 1052), 1 — 3- 

 celled; style I {fig. 1052); stigmas 3 {fig. 1052), or 1. Fruit 

 capsular, 3-valved, with loculicidal dehiscence, and with 1 or 

 many seeds in each cell ; rarely 1-celled, 1-seeded, and inde- 

 hiscent ; embryo very minute, in fleshy or horny albumen 

 {fig. 1053). 



Distribution, 8fc. — A few are found in tropical regions, but 

 the mass of the order inhabit cold and temperate climates. 

 Examples : — Luzula, Juncus, Narthecium. Lindley enumerates 

 19 genera, and 200 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Their medicinal properties are imim- 



