COROLLIFLORiE, 607 



with scales in its throat {fig. 466, r) ; estivation imbricated. 

 Stame?is (fig. 992) equal in number to the lobes of the corolla 

 and alternate with them. Ovarg deeply 4-lobed {fig. 596), 

 with a solitary ovule in each lobe ; stgle 1 {fig. 696), basilar ; 

 stigma simple or bifid. Fruit consisting of from 2 — 4 distinct 

 aciisenia, placed at the bottom of the persistent calyx {figs. 687 

 and 991). Seeds exalbuminous ; crahryo straight, with a superior 

 radicle. 



Distritnction, ^'c. — Chiefly natives of temperate regions in the 

 northern hemisphere. Examples of the Genera : — Cerinthe, 

 Echium, Borago, Cynoglossum. There are nearly 700 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are chiefly 

 remarkable for their mucilaginous properties ; hence they are 

 mostly harmless, and possess little value as medicinal agents. 

 Several species have roots of a reddish colour, which render 

 them useful as dyeing agents. 



Anchusa (Alkanna) tinctoria, Alkanet, has a dark blood-red root; this is 

 chiefly employed to give colour to oils, &c., which are used in perfumery, 

 and for dyeing woods, &c. 



Borago officinalis. Borage. — The root is mucilaginous and emollient. The 

 herb imparts coolness to beverages in which it is steeped o'wing to its con- 

 taining nitrate of potash. 



Echium. — The broken leaves, stems, and flowers of species of Echium are 

 employed in India as an alterative, tonic, demulcent, and diuretic. They are 

 sold in the bazaars under the name of Gouzaldni. 



Mertensia maritima is called the Oyster plant from its leaves having the 

 taste of oysters. 



Symphytum.— S. officinale. Comfrey, is reputed vulnerary. The young 

 leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as a vegetable. It is said to form a 

 good substitute for spinach. The root contains a good deal of starch and 

 mucilagiuons matters, and when finely scraped and laid on caUco to about 

 the thickness of a crownpiece, it forms an excellent bandage for broken 

 limbs, &,c. S. asperrimum has been recommended for cultivation in this 

 country as food for pigs, &c. 



Natural Order 166. Ehretiace-E. — The Ehretia Order. — 

 Diagnosis. — The plants of this order resemble the Boraginaceae 

 in most of their characters, but they differ in having their carpels 

 completely united, so as to form a 2 or more celled ovary ; in 

 their terminal style ; and drupaceous fruit. They are usually 

 characterised also by the presence of a small quantity of albu- 

 men in their seeds: this is, however, sometimes absent. By 

 some authors the Ehretiacese are made a sub-order of the Bora- 

 ginacese. 



Distribution, S^x. — Chiefly tropical trees or shrubs. Examples 

 of the Genera : — Ehretia, Heliotropium. There are about 300 

 species. • 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. Some species of Ehretia 

 have edible fruits- The root of Ehretia buxifolia, when fresh, 

 is employed in India by the native practitioners, as an altera- 

 tive. Some plants of the order have a delicious odour, as the 

 Peruvian Heliotrope {Heliotropitim pentvianum). 



