PETALOIDE.^. 683 



a considerable space, as it has large leaves, should be eradicated as far as 

 possible from the pastures in which it is found. The Hermodactyls of the 

 Greek physicians and Arabians, and which were largely employ etl by them in 

 diseases of the joints, have been shown by Planchon to have been the corms 

 of C. variega(u7n, the source of the Hermodactyls of the present day. Some 

 other Hermodactj-ls had a different origin. 



Uvularia.—T'he species of this genus do not possess the usual poisonous 

 properties of the Melanthacese, but appear to be simply astringent in 

 their action. 



Verati'um.—V. Sabadilla is thought by some to be one of the sources of 

 Cevadilla, but we have never foimd it in any commercial samples of that 

 drug. The rhizomes of F. album are commonly kno^-n as White Hellebore 

 roots. They contain the alkaloid Veratria, and another alkaloid termed 

 Jervin. White Hellebore is a narcotico-acrid poison. It has been employed 

 externally as an errhine, and for destroying vermin ; and internally as a 

 purgative and anodyne in gout, &c. The diied rhizome and rootlets of V. 

 viride, Green Hellebore, are now much employed in the United States, under 

 the name of American Hellebore, Swamp Hellebore, and Itch Wood, as an 

 arterial sedative in ialiammatory affections. In its local action it resembles 

 White Hellebore. It is officinal in the British Pharmacopoeia. 



Natural Order 261. Gixliesiacelb. — TheGrilliesia Order. — Cha- 

 racter. — Small herbaceous bulbous plauts,with grass-like leaves. 

 Flowers perfect, umbellate, spathaceous. Perianth in two whorls, 

 the outer consisting of 6 or 8 petaloid leaves, the inner minute, 

 and either a single lip-like organ, or urn-shaped and 6-toothed. 

 The outer portion of the perianth was regarded by Lindley as 

 a whorl of bracts. Stamens 6, all fertile, or 3 sterile. Ovary 

 superior, 3-celled. Fruit a loculicidal capsule, 3-celled. Seeds 

 numerous, with a black brittle testa ; embryo curved, in fleshy 

 albumen. 



Distribution, ^'c. — They are natives of Chili, There are 2 

 genera, Grilliesia and Miersia, and 5 species. Their properties 

 and uses are unknown. 



Natural Order 262. Po'tederacke. — The Pontederia 

 Order. — Character. — Aquatic plants. Leaves sheathing at the 

 base, with occasionally dilated petioles. Floiars irregular, 

 spathaceous. Perianth inferior, 6-parted, petaloid, tubular. 

 Stamens 3 or 6, inserted on the segments of the perianth ; 

 anthers introrse. Fruit capsular, occasionally somewhat ad- 

 herent to the persistent perianth. Seeds numerous, with mealy 

 albumen. 



Distribution, ^r. — They are natives of the East Indies, Africa, 

 and America. Examples of the Genera: — Leptanthus, Ponte- 

 deria. There are above 30 species. Their properties are unim- 

 portant. 



Natural Order 263. Mayaceje. — The Mayaca Order. — 

 Diagnosis. — Small moss-like plants growing in damp places. 

 They are closely allied to Commelynaceae, from which they differ 

 in their habit, their 1 -celled anthers, their 1-celled ovary and 

 capsule with parietal placentas, and in their carpels being oppo- 

 site to the inner segments of the perianth. 



Distribution, ^'c. — They are found in America from Brazil to 



