DICOTYLEDONES— COEOLLIFLOR.E 381 



leaves, and regular perfect flowers. Stamens equal in number 

 to the lobes of the corolla or separate petals and opposite to 

 them. Oyryj superior, 1-celled, with a free central placenta ; 

 style 1 ; stigma capitate. Fruit capsular, with transverse or 

 longitudinal dehiscence. Seeds numerous, with albumen, and 

 the embryo parallel to the hilum. 



Distribution and Numbers. — These plants principally in- 

 habit cold and temperate regions in the northern parts of the 

 lobe. They are rare in the tropics, where they are found only 

 on the seashore or m mountainous districts. Illustrative 

 Genera: — Vriuiula, Linn. ; Anagallis, Tourn.\ Glaux, Tourn.; 

 Samolus, Tourn. There are about 250 species. 



Projjerties and Uses. — Of no particular importance except 

 for the beaut}' of their flowers. The flowers of the Cowslip 

 {Primula veris) are sedative and diaphoretic, and are sometimes 

 employed in the manufacture of a soporific wine. The roots of 

 Cyclamens are acrid, especially those of Cyclamen hedercEfolium, 

 which have been used as a drastic purgative and emmenagogue. 



Order 181. Myrsinace,^, the Myrsine Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Trees or shrubby plants. Leaves coriaceous, smooth, 

 exstipulate. Flowers small, i~)erfect or unisexual. Calyx and 

 corolla 4 — 5-partite. Stamens usualh' corresponding in number 

 to the divisions of the corolla nnd opposite to them, but some- 

 times there are also 5 sterile i:)etaloid alternate ones ; anthers 

 dehiscing longitudinall}'. Ovary superior or nearly so, 1-celled; 

 with a free central ijlacenta, in which the ovules are imbedded. 

 Fruit fleshy. Seeds 1, 2, or many ; a?6«?«en abundant, horny. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Chiefly natives of the islands 

 of the southern hemisphere. Illustrative Genera : — Myrsine, 

 Linn.; Theophrasta, Linn. There are more than 300 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance. The fruits and 

 seeds of some species are pungent, and the seeds of others are 

 said to be purgative. 



Cohort 3. — Ebenales. 



Order 182. Sapotace.e, the Sapota Order. — Character. — 

 Trees or shrubs, often having a milky juice. Leaves alternate, 

 simple, entire, coriaceous, exstipulate. Flowers small, herma- 

 phrodite. Calyx inferior, usually with 5, or sometimes with 

 4 — 8 divisions, persistent. Corolla with as many divisions as 

 the calyx, or twice or thrice as many. Stamens definite, in a 

 single row, half of them sterile and alternating with the fertile 

 ones, the latter being opposite to the segments of the corolla ; 



