PETALOIDE^. 681 



Draccena Draco, the Dragon Tree of Teneiiffe (_fig. 178), yields a red resin 

 resembling Dragon's Blood, but it is not kno^vn in commerce. (See Calamus 

 and Pterocarpus.) The roots of D. terminalis, the Ti Plant, are baked, and 

 eaten largely by the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands. A fermented 

 beverage is also obtained from the juice of this plant ; and its leaves are 

 employed as fodder for cattle, and for clothing and other domestic purposes. 



Lilitnn.—T'he bulbs of some species, as those of L. tenuifolium, L. kamt- 

 schatictnn, and L. spectabile, are commonly eaten in Siberia, 



Phonnium tenax. — This plant is a native of New Zealand. The fibre ob- 

 tained from its leaves possesses great strength, and is commonly known under 

 the name of New Zealand Flax. It is much used for twine and cordage, and 

 occasionally for linen, &c. It was recommended 25 years ago for paper- 

 making, but although a very strong paper may be made from it, veiy 

 little commercial progress has been made -with tliis material. Its root has 

 been recommended as a substitute for SarsaparUla. 



PoJygonatum officinale {vulgare). — The rhizomes of this, and probably 

 those of P. multiflorum, are sold in the herb shops under the name of Solo- 

 mon's Seal. They are employed as a popular application to remove the marks 

 from bruised parts of the body. 



Ruscus aculeatus. Butcher's Broom {fig. 383), has aperient and diuretic 

 roots, which were formerly much employed in visceral diseases. The roasted 

 seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee. 



Sanseviei-a zeylanica and other species produce very strong and tough 

 fibres, which are known under the names of African Hemp and Bowstring 

 Hemp. 



Urginea.—U. Scilla or Scilla ma}-itima.--T'he bulb of this species is our 

 officinal Squill. It is a valuable medicine ; in small doses acting as an 

 expectorant and diuretic, and in larger doses as an emetic and cathartic. In 

 excessive doses it is a narcotico-acrid poison. Some other species seem to 

 possess analogous properties. Two active principles have been obtained from 

 the Squill by M. ilandet — one which prodiices expectorant and diuretic pro- 

 perties, and not poisonous ; the other, an in-itating poison : the fonner is 

 called scillilin, the latter sciilein. U. indica has similar properties to the 

 officinal squill. 



Xonthorrhcea. — The species of this genus are commonly kno^vn in New 

 South "Wales, where they are natives, under the name of Grass-trees. The 

 tops of these plants afford fodder for cattle, and their young leaves and 

 buds are eaten as a vegetable. From X arborea, X. Hastile, and others, two 

 resins are obtained ; one of which is known as Yellow resin of New Holland 

 or Botany Bay resin, the other, as the Red resin of New Holland or Black-boy 

 gum. The latter appears to be the produce otX. Hastile. Both resins exude 

 spontaneously from the trunks of the trees. They both possess a fragrant 

 balsamic odour. They have been recommended for use in the preparation 

 of pastilles, and medictnaUy in those cases where tolu and other balsams are 

 employed. 



Yucca gloriosa and other species which are commonly known under the 

 name of Adam's Needle, yield fibres, but these are but little used. 



Natural Order, 260. Melaxthace.?: or Colchicaceje. — The 

 Colchicum Order {figs. 1049-1052). — Character. — Herbs, 

 with bulbs, corms (figs. 221 and 10i9), tuberous or fibrous roots. 

 Floivers regular {fig. 1050), usually hermaphrodite, rarely uni- 

 sexual. Perianth inferior, white, green, or purple, petaloid 

 {fig. 1049), 6-parted or 6-leaved. Stamens 6 {figs. 505 and 

 1050) ; anthers extrorse {fig. 505). Ovary superior or nearly so, 

 3-celled {fig. 1050); style 3-parted {fig. 1049). Fruit 3-celled 

 {fig. 1051), B-valved, with commonly septicidal dehiscence {fig. 

 655), sometimes loculicidal. Seeds with a membranous testa; 

 embryo minute, in fleshy albumen {fig. 1052). 



Distribution, ^v. — Generally diffused, but most abundant in 



