THAXAMlFLOfiiE. 445 



^aris spinosa), -svliich inhabits rocky places iu the south of 

 Europe, is the only European species, and also that one which is 

 found farthest north. The order contains 350 species. 



Properties and Uses. — In their properties these plants re- 

 semble in many respects the Cruciferfe, being generally pungent, 

 stimulant, and antiscorbutic. Some are aperient, diuretic, and 

 anthelmintic. In some plants the pungent principle is highly 

 concentrated, or probably is in itself deleterious, so that they are 

 very poisonous. The more important plants are as follows : — 



Cadaba indica.—The root is reputed to be aperient and anthelmintic. 



Capparis.—The flower-bxids of various species of tWs genus are used to 

 form the -well-known pickle called Capers. Thus : Capparis spinosa is that 

 employed in the south of Europe, C. Fontanesii in Barbary, and C. cegyptiaca 

 in Egypt. C. cegyptiaca is stated to be the Hyssop of Scripture. Capers are 

 Stimulant, antiscorbutic, and aperient. The fruit of one species, said to be 

 allied to C. pukherrima, and which is found in the neighbourhood of Car- 

 thagena, is extremely poisonous. 



Cleome. — Some species are very pungent, and are used as condiments like 

 our mustard. 



Cratceva reUgiosa is commonly employed amongst the natives in India, 

 as a stomachic and tonic. 



Gynandropsis pentaphylla, a native of India, is reputed to be antispas- 

 modic. The bruised leaves are rubefacient and even vesicant ; and its seeds 

 are used as a substitute for mustard, and, like mustard seeds, contain a fixed 

 oil. 



Polanisia. — Some species of this genus are also employed like mustard. 

 The root of P. icosandra is used internally as a vermifuge, and externally as 

 a rubefacient, &c. 



Natural Order 17. Eesedace^. — The 3Iignonette Order. — 

 Character. — Herbs, or rarely small shrubs. Leaves alternate, 

 entire or divided, with glandular appendages at their base. 

 Cali/x with from 4 — 7 divisions. Petals 2 — 7, lacerated {Jiff. 

 482), unequal. Bisk fleshy, hypogynous. one-sided. Staaiens 

 definite, inserted on the disk. Ovary sessile, 1 -celled (Jig. 607); 

 placentas 3 (Jiff. 607, pi), or 6, parietal ; stiff mas 3, sessile. Fruit 

 opening at the apex long before the seeds are ripe (Jiff. 651), 

 1-celled, and with 3 or 6 parietal placentas ; or consisting of 

 empty carpels surroimding a central placenta. Seeds usually 

 numerous, reniform ; embryo without albumen. 



Diaffnosis. — Usually herbs, with alternate leaves and unsym- 

 metrical flowers. Disk large, hypogATious, one-sided. Stamens 

 definite, not tetradyuamous. Ovary sessile, 1-celled; placentas 

 3 — 6, parietal ; stigmas 3, sessile. Fruit usually opening early at 

 its apex. Seeds generally numerous, reniform, exalbuminous. 



Listrihution, <^c. — They are chiefly natives of Europe and the 

 adjoining parts of Africa and Asia. A few occur in the north 

 of India, Cape of Good Hope, and California. Examples of the 

 Genera: — Eeseda, Astrocarpus. There are 45 species in this 

 order. 



Properties and Uses. — But little is known of their properties. 



