CALYCIFLOE.^. 561 



very rarely 1-celled, crowned by a disk, each cell with a solitar}' 

 pendulous anatropal ovule ; styles as ■^- g^g 



many as the cells, sometifnes united ; 

 stigmas simple. Fmit usually 3 or more 

 celled, succulent or dry, each cell with 1 

 pendulous seed with fleshy albumen. 



Diagnosis. — Closely allied to Umhel- 

 lifercB, from which it may be usually 

 distinguished by the valvate sestivation of 

 the coi'olla; by the fruit being usually 

 3 or more celled, the carpels of which 

 do not separate when ripe from a forked 

 carpophore ; and from the seed possessing 

 fleshy albumen. There is also a greater 

 tendency among AraUacea to form a 

 ■woody stem than in Umhelliferfe. Fig. 943. Flower of the com- 



As already noticed (see page 557), Dr. '""^ ivy (ZTcdera izei^x). 

 Seemannhas proposed a new order imder the name of Hederacese, 

 to include certain plants of this order and of the Umbelliferse. 



I)istrihi(ticr?i, ^'c. — These plants are universally distributed, 

 being found in tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, and the coldest 

 regions. Examples of the Genera:— Vaucix, Aralia, Hedera. 

 The order inckides about 160 species. 



Projjerties and Uses. — It must be regarded as a somewhat re- 

 markable fact, that, nearly allied as the Araliacese are to the 

 Umbellifer£e, they never possess to any degree the poisonous 

 properties which are frequently found in plants of that order. 

 The Araliacese are generally stimulant, aromatic, diaphoretic, 

 and somewhat tonic. 



Aralia.— A. nudicaiiUs is a native of North America, where its roots are 

 used popularly as an alterative and stimulant diaphoretic in rheumatic 

 affections ; they are commonly known under tlie name of False or American 

 SarsapariUa, and are sometimes forwarded to this country. Under the 

 name of Rabbit-roots they have been also used as a remedy in syphilis by 

 the Crees, in North America. The bark of A. spinosa, called Angelica or 

 Toothache-tree in North America, is used as a stimulant diaphoretic. 

 A. racemosa,A. spinosa, and A. hispida yield aromatic gum-resins. ^1. edulis 

 is used in China as a diaphoretic. Its young shoots and roots are also eaten 

 as a vegetable in China and Japan. 



Gunnera scabra is remarkable for its enonnous leaves, which are sometimes 

 as much as eight feet in diameter ; the fleshy leaf-stalks, wMch resemble 

 those of the Rhubarbs iu appearance, are eaten. Its roots are astringent. 



Hedera Helix, the Ivy, is reputed to be diaphoretic, and its berries are 

 emetic and purgative. 



Pana.r.—F. Ginseng. — The root of this plant, which is a native of Northern. 

 Asia, constitutes Ginseng, which is so highly prized by the Chinese as a 

 stimulant and aphrodisiac, that they will sometimes give for it its weight 

 in gold. The name Ginseng signifies "" Wonder of the World." It is thought 

 very little of in Europe. P. quinqupfolium is a native of North America. 

 Its root is known under the name of American Ginseng. It has similar 

 properties to the preceding. P. Pseudo-Ginseng, a native of India, appears 

 to have similar properties. P. fruticosuniy P. cochlcatum, and P. Anisum 

 have aromatic properties. 



o o 



