532 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



rens, and R. prorhicialix. All commercial otto of rose is obtained by distilla- 

 tion, and according to Heber it requires 20,000 roses to yield attar equal in 

 weight to that of a rupee. It is imported from Smyi-na and Constantinople. 

 Otto of Roses is rarely or ever pure when imported into this country. It is 

 commonly adulterated with siiennaceti, and a volatile oil which appears to 

 be derived from one or more species of Aridropogon (see Andropogon), and 

 Avhich is called Oil of Geranium. (See Felai-gonium.) It is obtained from 

 India and is distilled in the neighbourhood of Delhi. The petals of R. centi- 

 folia are also employed in meilicine as a mild laxative. 



i?«6«/..s.— Several species of this genus yield edible fi-uits : thus, the fruit of 

 Rubus Idceus is the Raspberry ; that of R. fruticosus, the Blackberry ; that of 

 R. ca'siiis, the Dewberry ; and that of R. Chamcemorus, the Cloudben-y. The 

 root of R. villosus is much employed as an astringent in some parts of North 

 America. 



Spircea. — S. fiUpendula and S. Uhnaria.— The roots of these plants have 

 tonic properties. S. Uhnaria is called Meadow-sweet from the fragi-ance 

 of its flowers, which is due to the presence of coumarin. Seemann says, that 

 in Kamtschatka, a strong liquor is prepared from the root of S. Kamtschatka. 



Sub-Oi-der 4.— Sanguisorbe.e. — The plants of this sub-order have generally 

 astringent properties like the Rosece. 



Aca'na Sanguisorba. — The leaves are used in New Holland as a substitute 

 for tea. 



Alchemilla arvensis, Field Ladies' Mantle or Parsley Piert, is astringent and 

 tonic. It is also reputed to be diuretic, and was formerly thought to be useful 

 in gravel and stone ; hence it was called break-stone. 



Sub-Order 5. PoiiiLii;. — Many plants of this sub-order yield edible fruits, 

 and from their seeds hydrocyanic acid may be frequently obtained. The flowers 

 of several are celebrated for their beauty. 



Amelanchier canadensis.— The fruit is known in Rupert's Land, &c., under 

 the name of Shad-berry or Service-beiTy. It is used for mLxing with Pemi- 

 can, an article of Arctic diet. (See Primus.) 



Cydonia vulgaris, the Commoa Quince.— The fruit is fi'equently mixed 

 with apples in making pies or tarts, and is much esteemed for the preparation 

 of a kind of marmalade and for other purposes by the confectioner. The 

 rind contains nenanthic ether, to which its pecuUar fragrance is due. The 

 seeds contain much mucilage, which is nutritive, emollient, and demulcent. 



Eriobotrya japonica produces a fruit called the Loquat. Some fruits in good 

 condition have recently been imported from Japan and South America. 



Mespilus germanica yields the fruit called the Medlar, of which there are 

 several varieties. 



Pyrns.— Some species of this genus produce edible fruits. Py?ms Mains 

 and its varieties produce the different kinds of Apples. P. communis is the 

 Pear -Tree. The wood of the latter is sometimes used by wood-engravers 

 instead of box. P. Aiicuparia is the Mountain Ash or Rowan-Tree. Its 

 flowers, root, and bark yield hydrocyanic acid, and therefore probably pos- 

 sess sedative properties. P. Aria is the Beam Tree, the timber of which is 

 used for axle-trees and other purposes. P. domestica is the Service Tree, and 

 P. torminalis the Wild Service Tree. 



Natural Order 83. Calycanthace.t;. — The Calycanthus Order. 

 — Diagnosis. — These are shrubby plants resembling the UosacecB, 

 but they differ in having opposite leaves, which are always 

 simple, entire, and exstipulate ; in their sepals and petals being 

 numerous, and similar in appearance; in having stamens whose 

 anthers are adnate, and turned outwards ; and by having convolute 

 cotyledons. 



Distribution, S^~c. — They are natives of Japan and North 

 America. Examples of the Genera : — Calycanthiis, Chimonan- 

 thus. These are the only 2 genera, which include 6 species. 



Frojpertics and Uses. — The flowers are fragrant and aromatic. 



