DICOTYLEDONES— CALYCIFLOR^ 345 



was originally a native of Persia. There are about 1,320 species 

 belonging to this order. 



Properties and Uses. — These plants are generally remarkable 

 for aromatic and pmigent properties, which are due to the 

 presence of volatile oils. Many of these oils have been used in 

 medicine as stimulants, aromatics, carminatives, diaphoretics, 

 or antispasmodics ; and also in perfumery. The dried flower- 

 buds and unripe fruits of some species are in common use as 

 spices. Other plants of the order are astringent, and a few secrete 

 a saccharine matter. The fruits of some having a sweetish 

 acidulous taste are edible. Many are valuable timber-trees. 



0?*^erl39. Lecythidace^, the Brazil-nut Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Large trees, with alternate dotless leaves, and small 

 deciduous stipules. Floivers large and showy. Ca/?/ a" superior. 

 Petals 6, imbricate, distinct, or sometimes united at the base. 

 Stamens numerous, epigynous ; some of them cohering so as to 

 form a unilateral petaloid hooded bodj'. Ovary inferior, 2 — 6- 

 celled; placentas axile. Fruit woody, either indehiscent or 

 opening in a circumscissile manner. Seeds several, large, and 

 Avithout albumen. This ordei' is referred to Myrtacece by 

 Bentham and HooTxer. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Principally natives of Guiana 

 and Brazil, and also occasionally of other hot regions of South 

 America. Illustrative Genera : — Lecythis, Loft. ; Bertholletia, 

 Hiimb. et Bonptl. There are about 40 species. 



Properties and Uses. — These plants are chiefly remarkable 

 for their large woody fruits, the pericarps of which are used as 

 drinking-vessels and for other purposes. Their seeds are 

 frequently edible. 



Order 140. Bareingtoniace.e, the Barringtonia Order. — 

 Diagnosis. — This is a small order of plants frequently placed 

 among the M;\T:tace8e, but differing from that order in the pre- 

 sence of a large quantity of albumen in their seeds, in their 

 having alternate dotless and often serrated leaves, and in the 

 aestivation of the calyx, which in Myrtaceae is valvate, while in 

 Barringtoniaceae it is imbricate. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of tropical regions in 

 all parts of the world. Illustrative Qenera : — Barringtonia, 

 ForsTx. ; Gustavia, Linn. 



Prop)erties and Uses. — The bark of Stravadium racemosum 

 is reputed to be febrifugal, and the root bitter, aperient, and 

 acrid. The fruit of Careya arborea is eaten, while that of 

 Gustavia brasiliana is emetic, and produces an intoxicating 



