576 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



The above four tribes correspond to the sub-order Corymhiferce 

 of Jussieu ; the next tribe to the Cynarocefhalce of the same 

 author. 



Tribe 5. CynarecB. Style thickened above, and often with a 



bunch or fringe of hairs at the tumour ; its branches united 



or free {fig. 958, 6). Examples: — Calendula, Centaurea, 



Cynara. 

 Sub-order 2. LabiatiflorcB. — Hermaphrodite florets, or at least 



the unisexual ones, divided into two lips. Of this sub-order 

 - 'we have two tribes : — 

 Tribe 6. Mutisiccs. Style cylindrical or somewhat swollen ; 



its arms usually blunt or truncate, very convex on the outside, 



and covered at the upper part by a fine uniform hairiness, 



or absolutely free from hairs {fig. 958, 7). Examples : — 



Mutisia, Printzia. 

 Tribe 7. Nassaviea. Style never swollen ; its arms long, linear, 



truncate, and fringed only at the point {fig. 958, 8). Za- 



amples : — Nassavia, Trixis. 

 Sub-order 3. LiguliflorcB. — Florets all ligulate and perfect. 



This corresponds to the Cich.orace<s of Jussieu. 

 Tribe 8. Cichorcce. Style cylindrical at the upper part ; its 



arms somewhat obtuse, and equally pubescent. Examples : 



— Cichorium, Lactuca, Hieracium. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Universally distributed ; but the 

 Tubuliflorce are most abimdant in hot climates, and the LiguliflorcB 

 in cold. The Labiatiflorce are almost entirely confined to the extra- 

 tropical regions of South America. In the Nortliern parts of the 

 world the plants of this order are universally herbaceous ; but in 

 South America and some other parts of the southern hemisphere, 

 they occasionally become shrubby, or even in some cases arbores- 

 cent. Some years since there were about 9,500 species, according 

 to M. Lasegue, who remarks " that they have steadily continued 

 to constitute about ~ of all described plants, in proportion as our 

 knowledge of species has advanced. Thus Linneeus had 785 

 Composites out of 8,500 species; in 1809 the proportion was 

 2,800 to 27,000 ; De Candolle described 8,523 in the year 1838, 

 which was again a tenth ; and now (1845), that the estimate of 

 species has risen to 95,000, Composite plants amount to 9,600." 

 Lindley estimated the order to contain about 9,000 (?) species. 



Properties and Uses. — The properties of the Compositce are 

 variable. A bitter principle pervades the greater number of the 

 species in a more or less evident degree, by which they are 

 rendered tonic. Some are laxative and anthelmintic. Many 

 contain a volatile oil, which communicates aromatic, carminative, 

 and diaphoretic properties. Others are acrid stimulants, and 

 the LigidiflorcB commonly abound in a bitter-tasted milky juice, 

 which is sometimes narcotic. 



