TiIA.LAMIFL0HJ5. 433 



Diagnosis. — Leaves alternate, compound, very often spiny. 

 Flowers regular and symmetrical. Sepals 3, 4, or 6, deciduous. 

 Petals hypogynous, and opposite to the sepals when equal to 

 them in number. Stamens definite, hypogynous, opposite to the 

 petals ; anthers 2-celled, each opening by a recurved valve. 

 Carpel solitary; placenta sutural; ovules anatropal. Seeds 

 with albumen. 



Distrihiition, ^-e. — They are found in the temperate parts of 

 Europe, America, and Asia. They are very common in the 

 mountainous parts of the north of India. Kvampks of the Ge- 

 nera: — Berberis, Epimedium, Leontice. The order includes 

 about 100 species. 



Properties and Uses, — The plants of this order are acid, 

 astringent, and bitter. Their acid properties are due to the 

 presence of oxalic acid. A few plants are useful, as — 



Berberis vulgaris, the common Barberry.— The fruits of this and other 

 species are acid and astringent, and form a refreshing preserve. Its bark and 

 stem are very astringent, and are sometimes used by dyers in the preparation 

 of a yellow dye. The root-bark of B. Lycium, B. asiatica, and B. a7-is(ata, 

 forms Indian Barberry bark. This bark possesses tonic, antiperiodic, and 

 dir.phoi-etic properties ; and its extract, under the name of Riisot, is em- 

 ployed in India as a local application in ophthalmia and other diseases of 

 the' eye. Their properties are especially due to the presence of the alka- 

 loid berberia. The Common Barberry bark is sometimes used to adulterate 

 Pomegranate root-bark. 



Caulophyllum thalictroides, Blue Cohosh. — The root (rhizome) has a repu- 

 tation among the eclectic practitioners in the United States in cei-taiii 

 uterine affections. It is regarded as a stimulating tonic and slight narcotic. 



Jeffersonia diphylla. — The root (rhizome) is popularly known as rheumatism- 

 root in the United States, from its reputed value in rheumatism. It is com- 

 monly said to resemble senega root in its action, and to possess emetic, tonic, 

 and expectorant properties. 



Natural Order 9. Cabombace^. — The "Water-Shield Order. — 

 Character. — Aquatic plants, with floating peltate leaves. Sepals 

 and petals 3 or 4, alternating with each other. Stamens definite 

 or numerous. Thalamus flattened, small. Carpels 2 or more, 

 distinct. i^rwzYindehiscent. Seeds feyv; eynbri/o minute, enclosed 

 in a vitellus, and outside of abundant fleshy albumen. 



Diagnosis. — The only orders likely to be confounded with this, 

 are the Nymphseaceee and Nelumbiaceae. The plants belonging 

 to the Cabombacese are distinguished from the Xymphseacese, 

 by having distinct carpels, sutural placeiitas, few seeds, no evident 

 thalamus, and by the presence of fleshy instead of farinaceous 

 albumen ; and from the Nelumbiacepe, by their small thalamus, 

 by having more than one seed in euch carpel, by their minute 

 imhryo, and abundant albumen. 



Distribution, ^'c. — There are but 3 species belonging to this 

 order. They occur in America, Australia, and India. Cabomba 

 and Hydropeltis are the only genera. 



