MONOCHLAMYDE^. 627 



acrid, pungent, aromatic, and stimulant properties are essentially due ; and 

 Piperiue, -which possesses to some extent febrifugal properties. Piper 

 trioicum and a few other species also produce good pepper. 



Natural Order 191. Chloranthace^. — The Chloranthus 

 Order. — Character. — Herbs or undershrubs with jointed 

 stems tumid at the nodes. Leaves simple, opposite, sheathing, 

 with small interpetiolar stipules. Flowers spiked, aehlamydeous, 

 with scaly bracts, perfect or unisexual. Stamens 1, or more and 

 united. Ovary 1-celled, with a solitary pendulous ovuIp. Fruit 

 drupaceous. Seed pendulous, with a minute embryo (not enclosed 

 in a distinct sac), at the apex of fleshy albumen, and an inferior 

 radicle. 



Distribution, cf'c. — Natives of tropical regions. Examples of 

 the Genera: — Hedyosmum, Chloranthus. There are 15 species. 



Properties and f/s^s.— Aromatic stimulant properties are the 

 principal characteristics of the plants of this order. 



Chloranthus.— The roots of C. officinalis and C. brachystachys have been em- 

 ployed in Java as stimulants in malignant fevers, &c., and for their anti- 

 spasmodic effects. The flowers of C. inconspicuus are used in China to per- 

 fume tea. (See Thea.) 



Natural Order 192. SAiPRrEACE.Ti:. — The Saururus Order. — 

 Character. — Marshy herbs. Leaves entire, alternate, stipulate. 

 Flowers spiked, aehlamydeous, perfect. Stamens 3 — 6, hypo- 

 gynous, persistent. Ovaries 3 — 4, more or less distinct, or united, 

 with a few ascending ovules. Fruit either consisting of 4 fleshy 

 indehiscent achsenia, or capsular and 3 — 4-celled. S(eds ascend- 

 ing, with a minute embryo in a fleshy sac on the outside of hard 

 mealy albumen. 



Distribution, <^'c. — Natives of North America, Northern India, 

 and China. Examples of the Genera : — Saururus, Houttuynia. 

 There are about 7 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They have acrid properties, and are 

 reputed to be emmenagogue. 



Saururus cermtus, a natiA^e of iSTorth America, is said to be a valuable 

 remedy in inflammatory affections of tlie genito-urinary organs, and also 

 externally as a soothing discutient cataplasm. 



Natural Order 193. Podostemace^. — The Podostemon or 

 Eiver-weed Order. — Character. — Aquatic herbaceous plants 

 with the aspect of Mosses or Liverworts. Leaves mintite or 

 finely divided. Flowers minute, usually perfect, spathaceous, 

 aehlamydeous, or with an imperfect calyx, or with 3 sepals. 

 Stamens 1 or many, hypogynous ; anthers 2-celled. Ovary supe- 

 rior, 2 — 3-celled ; stigmas 2 — 3 ; ovules ascending, numerous. 

 Fruit capsular, ribbed, with parietal or axile placentation. Seeds 

 numerous, exalbuminous, with a straiglit embryo. 



Distribution, ^'c. — Principally natives of South America. 

 Examples of the Genera: — Hydrostachys, Podostemon. There 

 are about 100 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. Some species of Lacis 

 ss 2 



