494: SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Sub-order 2. Diosmea. — Seeds exalbuminous. Fruit having the 

 sarcocarp separate from the endocarp when ripe. Example : — 

 Barosma. 



These sub-orders are by no means well established. 



Distribution, ^-c. — The Eutese are found chiefly in the southern 

 part of the temperate zone ; the genera Biosma, Barosma, &c., 

 abound at thft Cape of Good Hope ; other genera are found in 

 Australia ; and others in equinoctial America. There are about 

 400 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are generally 

 characterised by a powerful penetrating odour, and bitter taste. 

 In medicine they are employed as antispasmodics, tonics, febri- 

 fuges, diuretics, &c. The more important plants are as 

 follows : — 



Barosma. — The leaves of several species of this genus are used in medicine 

 for their aromatic, stimulant, antispasmodic, and diuretic properties. They 

 seem also to have a specific influence over the urinary organs. They are 

 commonly kno'mi under the name of Buchu Leaves. The plants yielding 

 them are natives of the Cape of Good Hope. They owe their properties to a 

 peculiar liitter principle called Diosmin or Barosmin, and a powerfully 

 scented volatile oil. The officinal species of the British Phannacopoeia 

 are B. betulina, B. crmulata, and B. seiratifolia. 



Correa alba, and other species. — The leaves are sometimes employed as a 

 substitute for tea in Australia. 



Dictamnus Fraxinella. False Dittany. — The root of this plant was formerly 

 much used in medicine, and reputed to possess aromatic tonic, diuretic, anti- 

 spasmodic, and emmenagogue properties, but it is now rarely or ever em- 

 ■ployed. It contains si.ich a large amount of volatile oil as to render, it is 

 said, the atmosphere around it inflammable in hot weather ; we have, how- 

 ever, never found this to be the case. 



Esenheckia febrifuga, a native of South America, has a febrifugal bark, 

 which is used in Brazil as a substitute for Peravian Bark. 



Galipea Cusparia. — This species is the source of the officinal Cusparia or 

 Angustura Bark. This bark is imported directly or indirectly from South 

 America. It is used in medicine as a stimulant tonic and febrifuge, in small 

 doses ; while in large doses, it is somewhat emetic and purgative. This bark 

 has fallen into disi-epute on the Continent, in consequence of the substitution 

 for it of a very poisonous bark obtained from the Strychnos Nnx-vomica. At 

 one time the substitution was so common that the importation of Angustura 

 Bark into Austria was prohibited, and the whole of it then found was ordered 

 to be destroyed. At the present time such a substitution is rarely to be met 

 with, although it occurred in Dublin some few years since. Melambo Bark, 

 which has somewhat similar properties to Angustura, is said to be also 

 derived from a species of Cuspai-ia. 



Ruta. — R. graveolens. Common Rue. — This plant, which is a native of 

 Eiu-ope, has a very powerful disagreeable peculiar odour, which it owes to 

 the presence of a volatile oil. Its taste is bitter and nauseous. It is used in 

 medicine as an antispasmodic, anthelmintic, emmenagogue, stimulant, and 

 carminative. This plant is said to be the Peganon of the New Testament 

 (Luke xi. ^2). Ruta montana possesses very acrid properties; so much so, 

 indeed, as to blister the hands of those who gather it. 



Tkorea febrifuga, a native of South America, has a febrifugal bark, which 

 is used in some districts as a substitute for Peruvian Bark. 



Natural Order 60. XANTHOXYLACEiE. — The Prickly Ash 

 Order. — Diagnosis. — The plants of this order are trees of 

 shrubs, resembling, in almost all their characters, the Kutacese, 



