MOXOCHLAMYDE^. 



655 



Fig. 1023. 



America, and the Levant. Examjjles of the Genera : — The only 

 genus is Liquida7nhar {Altingia of some botanists). It contains 

 3 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Chiefly remarkable for fragrant bal- 

 samic properties. The species hare warm bitter barks. 



Liquidamhar.—L. oHentale of Miller yields our officinal Liquid Storax. 

 (See Sti/rax.) This plant is called in Cyprus, Xi/Jon Effendi (the wood of 

 our Lord). The storax is obtained fi'om the inner bark, which is afterwards 

 used by the Turks for the purpose of fumigation. This bark is the Cortex 

 Thymiamatis or Storax Bark of phannacologists. Z. styraciflua, a native of 

 the United States and Central America, yields by incision a fluid balsamic 

 juice called liquidambar or cojxtlm balsam. L. altingia, a native of Java, 

 yields a similar fragrant balsam. In their effects and uses, both Liquid 

 Storax and Liquidambar resemble other balsamic substances, as the Balsams 

 of Peru and Tolu, Benzoin, &c. 



Natural Order 234. Salicace.e, — The Willow Order {figs. 

 1022 and 1023). — Character. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves sim- 

 ple, alternate, stipulate. Flowers 

 unisexual {figs. 1022 and 1023), 

 amentaceous {figs. 389 and 390), 

 naked, or with a membranous or 

 cup-like calyx. Male flowers {fig. 

 1022). with 1 — 30 distinct or 

 monadelphoits stamens. Female 

 flowers with a superior 1 -celled 

 ovary {fig. 1023), and numerous 

 erect o^niles. Fruit 1 -celled, 2- 

 valved. Seeds numerous, covered 

 with long silky hairs {fig. 736), 

 exalbuminous ; embryo erect, with 

 an inferior radicle. 



Distribution, ^'c. — Chiefly na- 

 tives of cold and temperate cli- 

 mates. Examples of the Genera : — 

 Salix, Populus. These are the only 

 genera ; there are about 250 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Many 

 species are either valuable as tim- 

 ber, or for economic purposes. 

 The bark commonly possesses 

 tonic, astringent, and febrifugal 



properties. The hairs which invest the seeds have been em- 

 ployed for stuffing cushions, and for other purposes. The buds 

 of some species secrete an oleo-resinous substance of a stimula- 

 ting nature, 



Populus, Poplar.— Several species of this genus have been employed for 

 their timber. The bark is commonly tonic, astringent, and febrifugal, 

 which properties it owes to the presence of salicine. 



(Sa/ix.— Several species of this genus are used for timber, and for basket- 

 work ; also for the manufacture of charcoal. The timber is, however, want- 



Fig. 1022. Male flower of a species 

 of willow (Salix), with two sta- 

 mens, and a single l)raot at the 



base. Fig. 1023. Feraale flower 



of the same with bract at the 

 base, and a solitary stalked 

 ovary surmounted by two stig- 

 mas. 



