558 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



appearance of the albumen, but they are by no means well 



defined. They are as follows :— 



Sub-order 1. Orthospermecs. — Albumen flat on its face. Ex- 

 amples : — Hydrocotyle, Sanicula, Cicuta, CEnanthe, Heracleum, 

 Daucus, 



Sub-order 2. CampylospermecB. — Albumen rolled inwards at 

 the edges, and presenting a vertical furrow on its face. Ex- 

 aiwples : — Anthriscus, Chserophyllum, Coniura. 



Sub-order 3. Ccelospermece. — Albumen with the .base and apex 

 curved inwards on its face. Examples : — Ormosciadium, 

 Coriandrum. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Chiefly natives of the northern 

 parts of Europe, Asia, and America. Many occur, however, in 

 the southern hemisphere. They are rare in tropical regions 

 except upon the mountains, where they are by no means uncom- 

 mon. There are about 1,560 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Extremely variable ; thus, some are 

 edible; others are aromatic and carminative, and, in some cases, 

 stimulant and tonic, from the presence of a volatile oil ; others 

 contain a narcotico-acrid juice, which renders them more or less 

 poisonous ; while others again are antispasmodic and stimulant 

 from the presence of a fcetid gum-resin, which is essentially 

 composed of gum, resin, and volatile oil. This oil in the case of 

 Assafoetida, and probably in some of the others, contains 

 sulphur. 



1. Esculent Umbellifer^. 



Anthriscus. — Two species of this genus are cultivated—^. Cerefolium, the 

 Chervil, the leaves of which are used for flavouring soups, salads, &c. ; and 

 A. hulbosus, the Parsnip Chervil, for its edible roots. 



Apium graveolens, Celery. — By cultivation with the absence of light, the 

 stem and petioles become succulent and develop but little aromatic oil, and 

 are then edible. 



Anesorhiza capensis is eaten at the Cape of Good Hope. 



ArracacJia esculenta, Arracacha, a native of New Granada, has large 

 esculent roots. 



Bunmm. — B.fexuosum and B. Bulbocastanum have round tubercular roots, 

 which are edible ; they are knov.m under the name of Earth-nuts or Pig- 

 nuts. B.fevulcefolium, a native of Greece, has also edible tubers, which are 

 termed Topana. 



Crithmum maritimum. Samphire, is commonly used as an ingredient in 

 pickles, 



Daucus Carota, var. safiva, the cultivated or Garden Carrot, is well-known 

 for its esculent roots. These are also used in medicine in the form of a 

 poultice for their moderately stimulant properties. 



Foeniculum,-~F. vulgare is the Common Fennel, and F. dulce the Sweet 

 Eennel. Both are well known as pot-herbs and garnishing substances. The 

 latter is frequently considered as a cultivated variety of the former. F. ca- 

 pensis is a Cape esculent. 



Ferula.— T'hG roots of several species of this genus, and of other allied 

 plants, are eaten in Oregon and some other parts of North America. 



Haloscias scoticunt is the Scottish Lovage. 



HeJosciadium californicum. — The roots are said by M. Geyer to be very 

 delicious ; they are eaten by the Saptoria Indians in Oregon. 



