COEOLLIFLOR^. 581 



especially in America, for their sedative, antispasmodic, emetic, and expec- 

 torant properties. Lobelia resembles tobacco in its action . Several fatal cases 

 of poisoning have occurred in North America, and in this comitry, from its 

 empirical use. The seeds may be distinguished under the mici-oscope by their 

 peculiarly reticulated character. The root of Z. syphilitica possesses emetic, 

 purgative, and diuretic properties, and, as its specific name implies, it has 

 been reputed to be efficacious in syphilis L. urens has blistering qualities. 

 L. decurrens is used in Peru as an emetic and purgative, and its employment 

 has been suggested in this country, as a substitute for Ipecacuanha. 



Natural Order 132. Goodeniacejs, — The Goodenia Order. — 

 Characte r. — Herbs or rarely shrubs, not milky. Leaves exstipu- 

 late. Floivers never collected into heads. Calyx generally superior, 

 ■with from 3 — 5 divisions, occasionally inferior. Corolla irregular, 

 5-parted ; (Fstivation induplicate. Stamens 5 ; filaments distinct ; 

 anthers distinct or united. Ovary 1, 2, or rarely 4-celled ; 

 plaanta free central; st^le 1 {fig. 630, t); stigraa indusiate {fig. 

 630, i). Fruit capsular, drupaceous, or nut-like. Seeds with 

 fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^-d. — They are principally natives of Australia, 

 and the islands of the Southern Ocean ; rarely of India, Africa, 

 and South America. Examples of the Genera : — Goodenia, Les- 

 chenaultia. There are about 190 species. 



Properties mid Uses. — Unimportant. 



SccetoJa Taccada has a soft and spongy pith, which is used by the Malays 

 to make artificial flowers, &c. Its young leaves are also eaten as a pot-herb. 

 Other species of Sccevola are reputed to be emollient. 



Natural Order 133. Sttlidiacelt;. — The Stylewort Order. — 

 Character. — Herbs or under-shrubs, not milky. Leaves ex- 

 stipulate. Calyx superior, -with from 2 to 6 divisions, persistent. 

 Corolla with from 5 to 6 divisions ; cestivatioyi imbricate. Sta- 

 raens 2, gynandrous. Ovary 2-celled, or rarely 1-celled ; style 1 ; 

 s^i^'/'/m without an indusium. i^ra/iY capsular. &C(f5 albuminous. 



Distribution, ^r. — They are cliiefly found in the swamps of 

 Australia. Examples of the Genera: — Stylidium, Forstera. 

 There are about 1 20 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Natural Order 13i. Vaccixiace^. — The Cranberry Order. 

 — Character. — Shrubs or small trees. Leaves alternate, un- 

 divided, exstipulate. Calyx superior. Corolla 4 — 6-lobed; cssti- 

 vatiou imbricated. Staynens distinct, epigynous, twice as many 

 as the lobes of the corolla; anthers {fig. 519) appendiculate, 

 with porous dehiscence. Ovary 4 — 10-celled; style Sind stigma 

 simple. Fruit succvdent. See-ds with fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, q-c. — Chiefly natives of the temperate regions of 

 the globe. Examples of the Genera: — Vaccinium, Thibaudia. 

 There are about 200 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are chiefly remarkable for their 

 astringent leaves and bark, and for their edible sub-acid fruits. 



