SPERMATOPHYTA RANALES 



445 



used as food by the Indians in the northwest. The blue flowered Nymphaea 

 stellata of tropical Africa and the Egyptian lotus (N. Lotus) are frequently 

 cultivated, as are the Victoria regia of the Amazon region and Euryale ferox of 

 eastern Asia. The water lilies (Castalia odorata and C, tuberosa) are pretty 

 water plants of North America. The family Ceratophyllaccae contains the 

 water-weed (Ceratophyllwn demersum) of North America, troublesome also in 

 Europe. The family Myristicaceae contains the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) 

 of which mace is the aril ; the oil contains myristicin. Prof. Cushny in an ad- 

 dress before the Royal Society of Medicine in London, referring to Nutmeg 

 poisoning, says that the symptoms are drowsiness, stupor, and diplopia ('seeing 

 double'). Delirium is frequently present, and sometimes the first symptom is 

 burning pain in the stomach, with anxiety or giddiness. The symptoms generally 

 resemble those resulting from Cannabis indica (hashish). One fatal case oc- 



Fig. 221. Yellow Water Lily (Nymphaea poly- 

 sepala). (W. S. Dudgeon.) 



curred in a boy who had eaten two nutmegs. From experimental work Prof. 

 Cushny has come to the conclusion that the symptoms are to be attributed to 

 ' the action of the oil of nutmeg on the central nervous system. This is de- 

 ! pressed ; but there are some signs of stimulation in the form of restlessness, 

 i slight convulsive movements, and tremor. The oil has also a marked local ir- 

 ritant action, whether given by the mouth or hypodermically. Several other 

 species like M. succedanea and M. fatua, are used by the natives where these 

 plants are indigenous. 



Families of Ranales 



1 Stamens numerous sepals distinct, petals absent or present. 



Receptacle hollow enclosing the numerous pistils and achenes; leaves 

 opposite 5 Calycanthaceae 



