47'i SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



{fig. 717). Embryo curved {fig. 893), with a small radicle 

 and large fleshy consolidated cotyledons. Examples: — ^scu- 

 lus, Pavia. 



Sub-order 3. Bodonece. — Leaves alternate. Ovules 2 or 3 in a 

 cell. Embryo spiral. Examples : — Dodongea, Ophiocaryon. 



Sub-order 4. Meliosmece. — Leaves alternate. Flowers very irre- 

 gular. Stamens 5, 3 of which are abortive, and only 2, there- 

 fore, fertile. Ovules 2 in a cell, both of which are suspended. 

 Fruit a drupe. Embryo folded up. Example: — Meliosma. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Chiefly found in tropical regions, 

 especially those of South America and India ; some occur in 

 temperate climates, but none inhabit the cold northern parts of 

 the globe. There are no native plants of this order in Europe. 

 The Horse-chestnut, now so well known in Europe, is only 

 naturalised amongst us. There are about 400 species. 



Properties and Uses. — One of the most prominent properties 

 of the order is the presence of a saponaceous principle, from 

 which its name is derived. Many are poisonous in all their parts ; 

 but it is more frequently the case that, while the root, leaves, and 

 branches are dangerous, the poisonous juice becomes so diffused 

 tliroughout their succulent fruits as to render them innocuous, 

 or, in other cases, even valuable articles of dessei-t. It sometimes 

 even happens that while the pericarp is wholesome, the seeds are 

 dangerous. Some plants of the order are astringent and aromatic ; 

 others are diaphoretic, diuretic, and aperient; and some are 

 valuable timber-trees. The more important plants are the 

 following : — 



jExciilns. — The bark of ^Esculus Tlippocasfcmim, the Hovse- chestnut, is 

 febrifugal. Its young leaves are somewhat aromatic, and Endlicher says that 

 they have been used as a substitute for Hops. The seeds have been long 

 employed as an excellent food for sheep in Switzerland, and have been also 

 recommended as a substitute for Coffee. They contain a saponaceous prin- 

 ciple like the fruits of certain species of Sapindus. They also contain a large 

 quantity of starch, and are much used in Prance, instead of potatoes and 

 cereals, as a source for that substance. This must Ije regarded as a most 

 important application of a seed hitherto generally considered in most parts 

 of Europe as useless, as by its employment for obtaining starch a lai-ge 

 amount of food will be rendered available from iwtatoes and cereals, which 

 was formerly lost to man, &,c.. to the extent to which these substances 

 were used for that purpose. The seeds are said to yield by expression a 

 fixed oil, which has been inti'oduced under the name of Oil of Horse- 

 chestnut, as an external application in rheumatism. &c. The roots, leaves, 

 and fruits of the yEsculus ohlotenns, the Buck-eye or American Horse- 

 chestnut, are generally regarded as poisonous, both to man and animals. 



Cardiospermiim Halir.acabiun. — The root is described as diuretic, diapho- 

 retic, and aperient. Its leaves, when boiled, are eaten as a vegetable in the 

 Mohiccas. 



Cnpania (Blighia) sapida. — The distilled water of the flowers is used by 

 negro-women as a cosmetic. The succulent, slightly acid aril of the seeds 

 is eaten, and much esteemed in the West Indies and elsewhere. The fruit in 

 which the seeds are contained is commonly known under the name of the 

 Akee-fruit. A decoction of these has been used in diarrhoea. 



DodoncEa.—Sovae of the species of this genus are aromatic. The wood of 



