THAXAMXFLORJIv 



43; 



several placentas ; dehiscing by valves {fig. 858) or pores, or 

 sometimes indehiseent. Seeds usually numerous; embryo in 

 fleshy-oily albumen {fig. 756). 



Fig. 856. 



Fig. 857. 



Fig. 858. 



Fig. 856. Diagram of the flower of the Poppy, with two sepals, 

 four crumpled petals, uumerous stamens, and a compouud 



ovary with several parietal placentas. F'ig. 8.57. Flower of 



Celandine (Chelidcmium majiis). i<ii. Two stigmas on tlie apex 



of a lengthened or pod-liWe ov.nry. Fig. 85*. Sili'iuaeform 



or pod-shaped capsule of Celandine. 



Diagnosis. — Usiially herbs with a milky juice. Leaves 

 alternate and exstipuiate. Peduncles 1-flowered ; flowers regular 

 and symmetrical. Calyx and corolla with a binary or ternary 

 arrangement of their parts, deciduous, hypogynous. StameDS 

 numerous, hypogynous ; anthers innate. Ovary compound, 

 1-celled, with parietal placentas, stigmas opposite to the imper- 

 fect dissepiments. Fruit 1-celled. Seeds numerous, albuminous. 



Distribution, cW. — Nearly two-thirds of the plants of this 

 order are natives of Europe, and are mostly annuals. They 

 are almost unknown in tropical regions, and are but sparingly 

 distributed out of Europe in a wild condition. Examples of 

 the Genera: — Papaver, G-laucium, Eschscholtzia. There are 

 above 130 species in this order. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are in almost 

 all cases characterised by well-marked narcotic properties. 

 Some are acrid, while others are purgative. In a medical point 

 of view, this order must be regarded as the most important in 

 the Vegetable Kingdom, from its yielding Opium, undoubtedly 

 the most valuable drug of the Materia Mediea. The more im- 

 portant plants are the following : — 



Argemone mexicana, Mexican or Gamboge Thistle.— The seeds possess 

 narcotico-acrid propei"ties. An oil may be obtained from tliem by expression, 

 which possesses aperient and other qualities, and has been recommended 

 as a cure for Cholera. In the Vest Indies, the seeds are also used as a sub- 

 stitute for Ipecacuanha. In the East Indies, the oil is also employed as an 

 external application in certain skin diseases. 



