534 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



some are also found in temperate regions, as, for instance, in 

 Europe and North America. One species only, Lythrum Sali- 

 caria, has been hitherto found in New Holland. Examples of 

 the Genera: — Lythrum, Cuphea, Lawsonia. There are about 

 300 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of the order are chiefly 

 remarkable for the possession of an astringent principle, and for 

 their use in dyeing. 



Ammannia veskatoi'ia. — The leaves are very acrid ; they are much used in 

 India by the natives as a vesicant ; their action is, however, slow, and they 

 cause great pain. 



Grislea tomentosa. — In India, the flowers are employed in dyeing, mixed 

 with species of Morinda. (See Morinda.) 



Lagerstromia Reg in a lias narcotic seeds, and its leaves and bark are reputed 

 to be purgative and hydragogue. 



Lawsonia inermis or alba. — The leaves and young twigs of this shrub form 

 the Henna or Alkanna of Egypt, &c. Henna is used by the women in the 

 East to dye tbe tips of their fingers and their finger and toe-nails, palms of 

 the hand, and soles of the feet, of a reddish-orange colour. The men also 

 use it for colouring their beard?. It is likewise emploj^ed for dyeing skins 

 and morocco leather reddish-yellow ; and by the Arabs for dyeing their 

 horses' tails and manes. The leaves are also used to some extent as an 

 astringent. 



Lythrinn SaUcaria, Purple Loosestrife, is a common British plant, and is 

 said to be useful as an astringent in diarrhoea, &c. Other species probably 

 similar properties. 



Natural Order 85. Saxifragaceje. — The Saxifrage Order (fffs. 

 929-931). — Character. — Herbs with alternate leaves (Jiff. 929), 

 which are entire or lobed, stipulate or exstipulate. Calyx of 4 

 or 5 sepals more or less united at the base {fgs. 611 and 690), 

 inferior, or more or less superior {figs. 611 and 930). Petals 4 

 or 5, perigynous, alternate with the lobes of the calyx {fig. 930), 

 sometimes wanting. Stamens 5 — 10, perigynous {fig. 930) or 

 hypogynous ; anthers 2-celled, with longitudinal dehiscence. 

 Disk usually evident, and either existing in the form of 5 scaly 

 processes, or annular and notched, hypogynous or perigynous. 

 Ovary superior, or more or less inferior {fiffs. 611 and 930), 

 usually composed of two carpels, coherent below, but more or less 

 distinct towards the apex ; 1 or 2-celled ; styles equal in number 

 to the carpels, distinct, diverging. Fndt capsular, 1 — 2 celled, 

 usually membranous. Seeds small, numerous; emh7-yo (fig. 931) 

 in the axis of fleshy albumen, with the radicle towards the hilum. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs with alternate leaves. Flowers unsym- 

 metrical. Calyx inferior, or generally more or less superior, 4 

 — 5-parted. Stamens perigynous or hypogynous. Ovary supe- 

 rior, or more or less inferior, composed of 2 carpels united at the 

 base, and diverging at the apex ; styles distinct, equal in number 

 to the carpels. Fruit capsular, 1 — 2-celled. Seeds numerous, 

 small, with fleshy allmmen. 



Distrihntion, cfr. — They are exclusively natives of the northern 

 parts of the world, where they chiefly inhabit mountainous dis- 



