)80 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



or Ly yalves at the apex; placenta axile {figs. 959 and 961). 

 /St eds numerous, with fleshy albumen {fig. 960). 



Distribution, ^r. — Chiefly natives of the temperate parts of 

 the northern hemisphere ; a good many are, however, found in 

 the southern hemisphere, especially at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 A few species only are tropical. Examples of the Genera: — 

 Phyteuma, Campanula, Specularia. There are about 540 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The milky juice which they contain is 

 sometimes of a sub-acrid character, but the roots and young 

 parts of several species, especially when cultivated, are eaten in 

 different parts of the world, as the roots of Camjmvula Eapun- 

 culus, commonly known under the name of Rampions; those of 

 Cyphia glanduUfcra in Abyssinia ; and those of Cyphia digitata 

 by the Hottentots, &c. Some species of Spemilaria have been 

 tised in salads. One species, (Jampanida glauea, is reputed to 

 be a valuable tonic, and others are said to be antisyphilitic. The 

 order, however, does not contain a single plant of any particular 

 importance, either in a medicinal or economical point of view. 

 Natural Order 131. Lobeliace^. — The Lobelia Order {figs. 

 962 and 9e3).— Character. 

 Fig. 963. — Herbs or shrubs, with a 



milky juice. Leaves sUternzXe, 

 exstipulate. Calyx superior. 

 Corolla monopetalous, irregu- 

 lar, valvate. Stamens 5, synge- 

 mesious {fig. 963). Ovary in- 

 ferior, 1 — 3-celled ; placentas 

 axile or parietal ; style 1 

 {fig. 963) ; stigma surrounded 

 by a fringe of hairs {fig. 962). 

 Frtiit capsular, dehiscing at 

 the apex. Seeds numerous, 

 albuminous. 



Distribution, ^'c. — They are 

 chiefly natives of tropical and 

 sub-tropical regions ; a few 

 only occur in temperate and 

 cold climates. Examples of the 

 Genera : — Clintonia, Lobelia. 

 There are nearly 400 species. 

 Properties and Uses. — The 

 milky juice with which they abound is commonly of a very acrid 

 nature, hence the plants of the order should be regarded with 

 suspicion ; indeed, some act as narcotico-acrid poisons, as Lobelia 

 infiata, Tupa Feuillcei, &c. 



Lobelia.— L. infiata. Indian Tobacco.— This species is a native of North 

 America. The flowering herb and seeds have been extensively employed, 



Fig. 962. Stfgina of Lobelia FjipMK- 

 tica. Mg, 963. The essential or- 

 gans of the aboTe,with the calyx. 



