670 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



mended to be taken with milk and rum. It is said to produce a soothing 

 effect, but without causing sleeplessness. 



Eulophia vera and E. campestris.— The tubercular roots of these species 

 are used in India in the preparation of the nutritious substance known by 

 the names of Salep, Salop, and Saloop, which is there very highly esteemed 

 in some parts. (See Orchis). 



Orchis. — The roots of sevei-al species of this genus, as those of 0. mascula, 

 0. latifolia, 0. morio, &,c., when dried form European or Indigenous Salep ; 

 that prepared from 0. mascula is said to be the best. Salep contains 

 hassorine and a little starch, and possesses similar properties to those of 

 other starches and mucilaginous substances. (See Eulophia.) 



Sobralia.—T'he fruit of a species of Sobralia is said to yield in Panama a 

 kind of VaniUa which is called chica. 



Vanilla planifoUa, V. aromatica, V. guianensis, V. palmarum, V. pompona, 

 and other species, are remarkable for their fragrant odoriferous fruits 

 which constitute the Vanilla or Vanile of the shops. Vanilla is extensively 

 used in flavouring chocolate, and also in confectionery and perfumery. 

 It has been also employed on the Continent as a medicinal agent, in hysteria, 

 &c. The fruits of V. planifoUa and V. aromatica are commonly regarded as 

 the most fragrant. (See also Sobralia.) 



Natural Order 248. Apostasiaceje. — The Apostasia Order. — 

 Character. — Herbs, -with regular hermaphrodite flowers. Pe- 

 rianth superior, regular, with 6 divisions. Stamens 2 or 3, 

 iinited by their filaments with the lower part of the style into a 

 column ; anthers sessile upon the column, 2 or 3. Ovary inferior, 

 3-celled, with axile placentation ; ovules numerous ; style united 

 below to the filaments into a column, but prolonged above into 

 a filiform process. Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved. Seeds very 

 numerous. 



Distribution, cfc. — Natives of damp woods in tropical India. 

 Examples of the Genera : — Apostasia, Neowiedia. There are 5 

 species. Their properties are altogether unknown. 



Natural Order 249. BuRMANNiACEiE. — The Burmannia Order. 

 Character. — Herbaceous plants, without true leaves, or with 

 tufted radical ones. Flowers hermaphrodite, regular. Perianth 

 tubular, regular, superior, usually witli 6 divisions. Stamens 

 distinct, inserted into the tube of the calyx, either 3 introrse, 

 and opposite the inner segments of the perianth, or 6 extrorse. 

 Ovary m^Qviov, 1 -celled with 3 parietal placentas, or 3-celled 

 with axile placentas ; style 1 ; stigmas 3. Capsule 1 — 3-celled. 

 Seeds numerous, very minute ; embryo solid. 



Distribution, ^r. — They are principally found in the tropical 

 parts of Asia, Africa, and America. Examples of the Genera : — 

 Burmannia, Thismia. According to Miers, there are 38 species. 

 Their properties are unimportant, but some are reputed to be 

 bitter and astringent. 



Natural Order 250. ZiNGiBERACEiE. — The Ginger Order. — 

 Character. — Aromatic herbaceous plants, with a creeping rhi- 

 zome, and broad simple stalked sheathing leaves, with parallel 

 veins springing from the midribs. Flowers arranged in a spiked 

 or racemose manner, and arising from among spathaceous mem- 

 branous bracts. Perianth superior, irregular, arranged in 3 

 whorls, each whorl composed of 3 pieces. Stamens 3, distinct, the 



