CAXYCIFLOR^. 



543 



Fiy. 934. 



This order is sometimes placed amongst the CoroUiflorse on 

 account of its monopetalous flowers, but its affinities are so 

 essentially with the epigynous Calyciflorae, that I have placed 

 it here in accordance with De Candolle's views. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs, usually of a succulent nature. Leaves 

 rough, alternate, radiate-veined. Flowers unisexual. Calyx 

 o-toothed or obsolete, superior. Co- 

 rolla monopetalous, perigynous. Sterile 

 Flower with usually 5 stamens, which are 

 distinct, or monadelphous, or triadelphous, 

 epipetalous, rarely 2 or 3 stamens ; an- 

 thers long, and usually sinuous. Fertile 

 Flower: — Ovary inferior with parietal 

 placentas; style short; stigmas more or 

 less dilated. Fruit succulent. Seeds flat, 

 exalbuminous ; cotyledons leafy. 



Division of the Order, and Examples of 

 the Genera. — This order has been divided 

 into three sub-orders as follows : — 



Sub-order 1. KliandirohetB. — Anthers not 

 sinuous. Placentas projecting so as to 

 meet in the centre of the fruit. Seeds 

 numerous. Examples: — Jolliffia, Feu- 

 illsea. 



Sub-order 2. Cucurbitece. — Anthers sinu- 

 ous. Placentas projecting so as to meet 

 in the centre of the fruit. Seeds nume- 

 rous. Examples :—'BvyorLm, Ecbalium, 

 Cucumis. 



Sub-order 3. Sicecs. — Placentas not pro- 

 jecting. Seed solitary, pendulous. Ex- 

 amples : — Sicyos, Sechium. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives Fig. 9.34. Pepn of the 

 principally of hot climates in almost every fgHl^^i^^f Cucumber 

 part 01 the world, but especially abundant discharging its seeds, 

 in the East Indies. One species occurs in 



the British Isles, the Bryonia dioica. There are about 340 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — An acrid bitter purgative property is 

 the chief characteristic of the plants of this order. This property 

 is possessed more or less by all parts of the plant, but it is espe- 

 cially evident in the pulp surrounding the seeds : the seeds 

 themselves are, however, usually harmless. In some plants this 

 acridity is so concentrated that they become poisonous; while 

 in other cases, and especially from cultivation, it is so diflfused 

 that their fruit becomes edible. As a general rule the plants of 

 this order should be regarded with suspicion. 



