636 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



botanists regard the outer whorl of sterile stamens as petals, 

 and place the order amongst the Calyciflorse, near Celastracese, to 

 which it seems most nearly allied. 



Distribution, ^c. — Natives of tropical regions. Examples of 

 the Genera: — Chailletia, Stephanopodium. There are 10 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. The fruit of Chailletia 

 toxicaria, a native of Sierra Leone, is called Ratsbane on ac- 

 count of its poisonous nature. 



Natural Order 209. Ulmace^. — The Elm Order. — C haracfeer. 

 — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, scabrous, with deciduous 

 stipules. Flowers perfect or unisexual, in loose clusters. Calyx 

 inferior, membranous, imbricated. Sta7)iens perigynous, definite. 

 Ovary superior, 1 — 2-celled; styles ov stigmas 2, Fruit in(\.Q- 

 hiscent, samaroid or drupaceous, 1 — 2 celled. Seed solitary, 

 pendulous, with little or no albumen ; cotyledons foliaceous ; 

 radicle superior. 



Division of the Order, and Examples of the Genera. — This 

 order is divided into two sub-orders, as follows : — 



Sub-order 1. Celtem. Ovary 1 -celled. Examples: — Celtis, 



Mertensia. 



Sub-order 2. JJlmece. Ovary 2-celled. Examples : — Planera, 



Ulmus. 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are chiefly natives of the 

 nortliern regions of the world. There are about 60 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Some are valuable timber trees. The 

 bark and fruit of others are bitter, tonic, and astringent ; and a 

 few possess aromatic properties, 



Celtis.— The fruit of C occidentalis has a sweetish astringent taste, and has 

 been used in dysentery, &c. The tree is commonly loiown under the names 

 of Nettle-tree and Sugar-ben-y. C orientalis has aromatic properties, 



Ulmus, Elm, — The inner bark of Ulmus campestris, the common English 

 Elm, is thought to be demulcent, tonic, diuretic, and alterative, and is used 

 in certain cutaneous diseases. The wood of this species, as also that 

 of U. monfana, the Scotch or Wych Elm, &c., is largely employed as 

 timber, which is valuable not only for its toughness, but because it ia 

 not readily acted upon by water. The inner bark of U. fulva, the Slippery 

 Elm or Red Elm, a native of the United States, is much employed in that 

 country as a demiilcent for both external and internal use. When ground 

 it forms an excellent emollient poultice, like that of Linseed meal. 



Natural Order 210. IJRTiCACEiE.— The Nettle Order {figs. 1006 

 and 1007). — Character, — Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with a wa- 

 tery juice. Leaves alternate, usually rough, or with stinging 

 glands (fig. 145) ; stipulate. Flowers small, unisexual {fig. 1006) 

 or rarely perfect, scattered or arranged in heads o^ catkins. 

 Calyx {-aiervov {fig. 1006, c), lobed, persistent. Mah fiower with 

 a few distinct stamens {fig. 1006), perigynous, and opposite the 

 divisions of the calyx. Female flotver with a superior 1 -celled 

 ovary {fig. 715 and 1007), with a single ascending ovule {figs. 

 715 and 1007). Frtiit indehiscent, surrounded by the persistent 



