C0R0LLIFL0R2E. 



615 



{fig. 1001) persistent {fig. 694), 4 — o-partite. Corolla more 

 {figs. 472 and 473) or less {figs. 476 and 477) irregular, 4 — 5- 

 partite ; cBstivation\mhv\c?i.\.e {fig. 1001). Stamens 2 {fig. 1000), 

 or 4 didynamous {fig. 545), rarely 5 or with a rudimentary Sth; 

 anthers introrse. Ovary usually 2-cened {fig. 1001), its com- 

 ponent carpels being placed anterior and posterior ; style 1 {fig. 

 1000). Fruit usually capsular {fig. 694), rarely baccate, gene- 

 rally 2-celIed ; placentas axile. Seeds generally numerous, 



Fig. 1000. Fig. 1001. 



Fig. 1000. Flower of Speedwell (Veronica). Fig. 1001. Diagram of the flower 



of Frogsuioutli {Antirrhinum majus), with oue bract below. 



albuminous ; emhryo straight or slightly curved. The above 

 definition of the Scrophulariacese is in accordance with the views 

 of Miers. 



Distribution, 4'<^. — The plants of this order are found in all 

 parts of the globe. Examples of the Genera : — Calceolaria, Ver- 

 bascum Antirrhinum, Scrophularia, Veronica, Khinanthus. As 

 above defined, there are about 1,700 species. 



Froperties and Uses. — The plants of this order must be 

 regarded with suspicion, as some are powerful poisons. Many 

 are bitter, others astringent, some purgative, emetic, or diu- 

 retic, and a few possess narcotic properties. A great many 

 are cultivated in our gardens, &c. on account of the beauty of 

 their flowers. Several are root-parasites, as Melampyrmn, 

 Rhinanthics, cfc. : these turn black when dried. 



C'apraria hifolia is used in Central America as tea. 



Digitalis purpurea, FoxgloTe. — This is by far the most important medicinal 

 plant in the order. The roots, leaves, and seeds are the most active parts of 

 the plant, but the leaves only are no^v officinal in the British Pharmacopceia. 

 Foxglove is largely used as a diiuretic in dropsies, aiad as a sedative of the 

 circulation in diseases of the heart, &c. In improper doses it is a deadly 

 poison. It owes its activity essentially to the presence of a powerfully- 

 poisonous bitter principle, called Ligitaline. Other species of Digitalis have 

 similar properties to those of D. pur})urea, but they are not so active as it. 



