198 MANUAL OF BOTANY 



Good Hope. Illustrative Genera: — Galanthus, Linn.; Ama- 

 ryllis, Linn. ; Narcissus, Linn. ; Agave, Linn. ; Hypoxis, Linn. 

 There are above 460 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Several plants of this order possess 

 poisonous qualities. This propert}^ is especially evident in 

 Hcemanthus toxicarius, the juice of which is used by the Hot- 

 tentots to poison their arrow-heads. Some jdeld excellent fibres. 

 The juice of some few species is saccharine, and is employed in 

 the preparation of fermented liquors. Starch may be obtained 

 from certain species of Alstroemeria. Some are bitter and aro- 

 matic. Medicinally, several have been used as emetics and 

 purgatives. 



Order 12. Taccace-E, the Tacca Order. — Character. — 

 Perennial herbs, with fleshy roots. Leaves large, with parallel 

 veins, radical, stalked. Flowers hermaphrodite. Perianth 

 tubular, regular, 6-partite, superior. Stamens 6, inserted into 

 the base of the divisions of the perianth, with petaloid fila- 

 ments, incurved and hooded at the apex ; anthers 2-celled, 

 placed in the concavit}^ below the apex of the filaments. Ovary 

 inferior, 1-celled, with 3 parietal placentas projecting more or 

 less into the interior ; styles 3. Fruit baccate. Seeds nume- 

 rous, with flesh}' albumen. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of mountainous re- 

 gions in India, the Malayan Archipelago, the Philippines, Aus- 

 tralia, Polynesia, Madagascar, Guiana. According to Hance, 

 there are three genera — Tacca, Forst. ; Ataccia, /. S. Presl ; 

 and Schizocapsa, Hance— which, contain twelve or more 

 species. 



Pro2)erties and Uses. — The roots are bitter and acrid, but 

 when cultivated they become larger and lose in some degree 

 their acridity and bitterness, and contain much starch, which 

 when separated is used for food. 



Order 13. DioscoREACEiE, the Yam Order. — C haracter. — 

 Climbing herbs, or small shrubs, with twining stems rising 

 from tuberous rootstocks or tubers, placed above or under the 

 ground. Leaves net -veined, stalked. Flowers unisexual, 

 dioecious, small, bracteate. Male floiuer : — Perianth 6-cleft. 

 Stamens 6, inserted at the base of the perianth-segment?. 

 Female flower : — Perianth superior, 6-partite. Stamens some- 

 times present, but very short and abortive. Ovary inferior, 3- 

 celled; styles 3, distinct, or l,and then deeply trifid ; ovules 1 — 2 

 in each cell, suspended. Fruit dehiscent and compressed, or 



