DICOTYLEDONES— THALAMIFLOE^ 281 



Alsodeae are exclusively natives of South America, Africa, and 

 Malacca. There are about 300 species belonging to the order. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are chiefly 

 remarkable for emetic and purgative properties. A few also 

 are mucilaginous, and others have been reputed to be anod^^ne. 

 The emetic property is due to a peculiar alkaloid named violine, 

 which greatly resembles, if it be not identical with, emetme, the 

 active principle of the true Ipecacuanha root. This principle is 

 more especially found in some of the shrubby South American 

 species, but it also occurs, to some extent at least, in many of 

 the herbaceous European species. 



Order ^'2. Sauvagesiace.e, the Sauvagesia Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — This order is by some botanists considered as merely a 

 sub- order of Violaceae. It is distinguished by the flowers of its 

 species having either 5 perfect stamens alternate with 5 sterile 

 ones, or numerous stamens. If there are only 5 stamens, these 

 are also opposite the petals ; the anthers are likewise extrorse, 

 and have no appendages. The fruit also bursts septicidally, and 

 hence each valve bears the placentas at its margins. 



Distribution and Numhers. — They are natives chiefly of 

 South America and the AVest Indies. Illustrative Genera : — 

 Sauvagesia, Linn. ; Lavradia, Velloz. There are about 15 

 species. 



Projjerties and Uses. — But little is known of the properties of 

 the plants in this order. Sauvagesia e recta contains a good deal 

 of mucilaginous matter, and has been used internally as a 

 diuretic, and in inflammation of the bowels, and also externally 

 in diseases of the eye. 



Order 63. Canellace^, the Canella Order. — Diagnosis. — 

 By some authors this small order is placed in Clusiacete ; it is, 

 however, at once distinguished from the Clusiaceae by its 

 general appearance ; alternate leaves ; longitudinal dehiscence 

 of anthers ; absence of disc ; presence of a style ; and albuminous 

 seeds. It is placed here in accordance with the views of 

 Bentham and Hooker. 



Distribution and Numbers. — This order contains but 2 

 genera and 3 species. They are natives of the West Indies and 

 continent of America. 



Properties and Uses. — These plants have aromatic, stimulant, 

 and tonic properties ; being closely allied in these respects to 

 the Magnoliaceae. 



Order 64. Bixace^, the Arnatto Order. — Character. — 

 Shrubs or small trees. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, usually 



