686 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



of the Aracese, but we place it here, in accordance with the views 

 of Lindley, on account of its plants possessing perfect flowers. 



Distrihition, ^c. — They are found in cold, temperate, and 

 tropical regions. Examples of the Genera: — Calla, Orontium, 

 Acorus. There are about 70 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The generality of the plants of this 

 order have acrid properties. The acridity may usually be got 

 rid of by drying and by heat, and then the rhizomes of certain 

 species may be eaten. Some are aromatic stimulants ; others 

 antispasmodic, expectorant, and diaphoretic. 



Acorus Calamus, Sweet Flag. — The rhizome is an aromatic stimulant, 

 and is regarded by many as a valuable medicine in agues, and as a useful 

 adjunct to other stimialants and bitter tonics. It is reputed to be sometimes 

 employed by the rectifiers of gin. In India it is occasionally employed as an 

 insectifuge and insecticide. The volatile oil which may be obtained from 

 it by distillation, is used for scenting snuff, and in the preparation of 

 aromatic vinegar. 



Calla palustris has acrid I'hizomes, but by drying, washing, grinding, and 

 baking, they have been made into a kind of bread in Lapland. 



I>racontium.— The fresh roots of Z>. polyphyllum are in repute in Malabar 

 for their antispasmodic properties. 



Symplocarpus fcefidus, Skunk Cabbage.— The root has a very foetid odour, 

 especially when fresh. It is considered in the United States as an efficacious 

 nervous stimulant, and has been used in spasmodic asthma, hooping-cough, 

 catarrh in old people, and in other diseases. Its properties are much im- 

 paired by keeping. 



Natural Order 269. Palmace^. — The Palm Order (Jiffs. 

 1055-1060). — Character. — Trees or shrubs, with simple 

 (Jiff. 170, 1) or rarely branched trunks (Jig. 177). Leaves ter- 

 minal (Jig. 170, 1), large, with sheathing stalks. Flowers perfect 

 (Jigs. 1057 and 1058) or unisexual (figs. 1055 and 1056), 

 arranged generally on a branched spadix {fig. 391), which is 

 enclosed by a spathe. Perianth inferior, in two whorls, each of 

 which is composed of three parts (figs. 1055 and 1056). Sta- 

 mens 6 (figs. 1055 and 1057), 3, or numerous, hypogynous, peri- 

 gynous. Ovarg superioress. 1057 and 1058), 1 — 3- (fig. 1056) 

 celled. i^rMiif(/^. 1059) nut-like, baccate, or drupaceous. Seeds 

 with a minute embryo (fig. 1059, e, and 1060), in a cavitj^of the 

 albumen (fig. 1059, d); cdbumcn fleshy or horny (figs. 1059, c, 

 and 1060), often ruminate (fig. 743,^). 



Distribution, iS,-g. — Most of the plants are tropical, but a few 

 occur in temperate regions. Examples of the Genera: — Leopol- 

 dinia, Areca, Sagus, Chamserops, Attalea, Cocos. There are 

 probably about 600 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of all orders of plants, there is none, 

 with the exception of the Grasses, that is so valuable to man as 

 regards their dietetical and economical applications as the Palms. 

 They supply him with sugar, starch, oil, wax, wine, resin, astrin- 

 gent matters, and edible fruits and seeds. Their terminal leaf- 

 buds, when boiled, are eaten as a vegetable. Their leaves are 

 applied in various ways, as for thatching, materials for writing 



