676 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



anth {figs. 1040 and 1041); mithcrs introrse {fig. 1041). Ovari/ 

 inferior {fig._ 1041), 3-celled {fig. 1039). Fruit capsular, 3-cellfxi, 

 3-valved, with ioculicidal dehiscence, and numerous seeds ; or 

 a berry with 1 — 3-seeds. Seeds with fleshy or horny albumen, 

 and an embryo with the radicle next the hilum {fig. 1042). 



Fig. 1041. Fig. 1042. 



Fid. 1041. Vertical soctinn of tlie flower of the Spring Snowflake 



[Lencojum vernum). Fiy. 1042. Vertical section cf the seed of the 



same. 



Distribution, cfr. — Natives of many parts of the -world, but, 

 like the Iridaeese, most abundant at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 Examples of the Genera : — Galanthus, Amaryllis, Narcissus, 

 Agave. There are above 400 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Several plants of this order possess 

 poisonous qualities. This propei'ty is especially evident in 

 Hamanthus toxicarius, the juice of which is used by the Hottentots 

 to poison their arrow-heads. Some yield excellent fibres. The 

 juice of a few species is saccharine, and is used in the prepara- 

 tion of fermented liquors. Starch may be obtained from some 

 species of Ahtroemeria. Medicinally, several have been employed 

 as emetics and purgatives. 



Aanve americana, the American Aloe, Magmey, or Hundred -years' plant. 

 The latter name was jriven nnder the erroneous idea tliat the Agave lived a 

 hundred years before flowering. From the leaves of this and other species 

 the useful fibre known as Aloe Fibre, Pita, or Pite Hemp is obtained. It is 

 employed for textile fabrics, and for paper-making. The juice of the leaves of 

 Agave amerkana and other species just before flowei-ing contains much sugar 

 and mucilage, and when fermented yields a vinous acid l)everage called 

 Pulque. Avhich is highly esteemed by the Mexicans. It has an odour some- 

 thing like putrid meat. A very intoxicating spirit or brandy may be 

 obtained from the jtulqxie. To this brandy the name of mexicaJ or agiiai-dient 

 de mayiiey has been given. The unfermented juice is called Aguamiel or 

 honey-water. Its roots are reputed to possess alterative and diuretic 

 properties. 



A l.strcemeria pallida and some other species have succulent roots containing 

 aiuch starch, which w^hen extracted is used as a kind of arroAvroot in 

 certain parts of South America. 



Crinum asiatictim var. toxicarium. — The fresh root is ofRcinal in the 

 Pharmacopoeia of India. It possesses emetic and diaphoretic properties, and 

 its therapeutic uses are analogous to those of Squill. The dried root has 

 similar properties, but it is not so powerful in its action. 



