THALAMIFLORJE. 477 



the calyx, and are often united to the keel ; sometimes there 

 are 5 petals {fig. 895), and then the 2 additional ones, pr, pr, 

 are of small size, and alternate with the wings and anterior 

 sepals. Stamens hypogynons, 8 {figs. 895, e, and 899), usually 

 combined into a tube, unequal, the tube split on the side next 

 to the posterior sepal {fig. 899) ; anthers clavate, innate, usually 

 1-celled {fig. 899), rarely 2-celled, opening by a pore at their 

 apex {fig. 899). Ovary superior {figs. 895, c, and 896, ov), 

 2 — 3-celled, one cell being frequently abortive ; ovules solitary 

 or twin, suspended ; style simple {fig. 896, styV), curved, some- 

 times hooded at the apex ; stigma simple {fig. 899, stig). Fruit 

 varying in its nature and texture {fig. 897), indehiscent, or opening 

 in a loculicidal manner, occasionally winged. Seeds pendulous 

 {fig. 897, gr), smooth or hairy, with a caruncula next the hilum 

 {figs. 897, r, and 898, ar); embryo straight or nearly so, in 

 copious fleshy albumen, and with the radicle towards the hilum 



(^. 898,;?0- 



Diagnosis. — Herbs or shrubs with exstipulate leaves. Plowers 

 complete, hypogynous, irregular, unsymmetrical. Sepals and 

 petals imbricated, not commonly corresponding in number, and 

 usually arranged so as to form ?l falsely papilionaceous flower; 

 odd petal anterior; odd sepal posterior. Stamens 8, hypo- 

 gynous, usually combined; anthers generally 1-celled, with 

 porous dehiscence. Fruit flattened, usually 2-celled and 2- 

 seeded. Seeds with abundant fleshy albumen, and with a 

 caruncula next the hilum. 



Distribution, ^'c. — Some genera of the order are found in 

 almost every part of the globe. The individual genera are, 

 however, generally confined to particular regions, with the ex- 

 ception of the genus Polygala, which is very widely distributed, 

 being found in almost every description of station, and in both 

 warm and temperate regions. Examples of the Genera : — Poly- 

 gala, Monnina, Soulamea. There are about 500 species. 



Properties a7id Uses. — The greater part of the plants of this 

 order are bitter and acrid, and their roots milky ; hence they 

 are frequently tonic, stimulant, and febrifugal. Others are emetic, 

 purgative, diuretic, sudorific, or expectorant. A few species have 

 edible fruits, and others aboi;nd in a saponaceous principle. 

 The following are the more important plants of the order : — 



Monnina poly stachy a and M. sallcifolia. — The bark of the root of these 

 plants is especiall.y remarkable for the presence of a saponaceous prin- 

 ciple ; it is used in Peru as a substitute for soap, and for cleaning and 

 polisliing silver. It is moreover reputed to be a valuable medicine in 

 diarrhcea and similar diseases. 



Polygala.— ^any species of this genus have bitter properties, as P. amara, 

 P. rubella, P. vulgaris, and P. major ; they have been used as tonics, stimu- 

 lants, diaphoretics, &c. Polygala Senega, the Senega Snake-root. — The root 

 of this species was first introduced into 'medicine as an antidote to the bites 

 of snakes. Various other species of Polygala have been reputed to possess 



