4 POPULAR SKETCH OF 



Many of the plants yield edible fruits, while others are poisonous. The fruit of 

 Sapindus saponaria is used as a substitute for soap iu the West Indies. 



44. Rhizobqlaceae, RHIZOBOLS. Large trees, of the warm forests of South America. 

 Some yield edible nuts, known as Suwarrow nuts (Fig. 26), from which an oil is ex- 

 tracted equal in quality to that of the Olive. Lindley mentions 2 genera, and 8 species. 



45. MeliaceSB, MELIADS. Trees or shrubs, found chiefly in the tropical parts of 

 America and Asia. There are 40 known genera, and upwards of 160 species. The 

 plants of this order possess bitter, tonie, and astringent qualities. Oils are procured 

 from some species, and others yield a fragrant balsam. 



46. Cedrelaceae, CEDRELADS. Trees, of the tropical parts of America and Asia. 

 There are 9 genera, including 25 species. The plants of this order are bitter and 

 fragrant. Swietenia Mahogani (Fig. 27) supplies the well-known mahogany wood; and 

 Chloroxylon Swietenia, satin-wood. 



47. Vitaceae, VINEWORTS. Climbing shrubs, inhabiting the milder and hotter parts 

 of the globe, and abounding in the West Indies. There are 7 genera, and 260 species. 

 The fruit of these plants, when ripe, is saccharine. The Grape Vine belongs to this 

 order. (Fig. 28.) 



48. Geraniacese, CRANESBILLS. Herbs or shrubs, distributed over various parts of 

 the world. The plants of this order are astringent and aromatic; some of the species, 

 as Geranium and Pelargonium, are remarkable for the beauty of their flowers. (Fig. 29.) 

 There are 4 genera, and 500 species. 



49. Linacese, FLAXWORTS. Annual and perennial plants, scattered over the globe, 

 but -most abundant in Europe, and in the north of Africa. There are 3 genera, 

 including 90 species. These plants yield mucilage and fibre. Flax is procured from 

 the inner bark of the stalk of Linum usitatissium (Fig. 30). The seeds yield Linseed oil. 



50. Balsaminaceae, BALSAMS. Succulent herbaceous plants, with watery juice and 

 showy flowers. They are found chiefly in the East Indies. Their properties are 

 unimportant. Lindley mentions 3 genera, comprising 110 species. 



51. Oxalidacese, OXALIDS, or WOOD SORRELS. Herbs, undershrubs, or trees, found 

 in the hot and temperate parts of the globe, and abundant in North America and at 

 the Cape of Good Hope. There are 6 known genera, and 320 species. Some are acid 

 in their properties; others yield esculent roots. 



52. Tropaeolacese. INDIAN CRESSES. Herbaceous trailing or twining plants, with 

 gay flowers. Natives of the temperate parts of America. Their fruit is used as a 

 cress, or pickled and used as capers. Lindley enumerates 6 genera, including 44 species. 



53. PittosporaceSB, PITTOSPORADS. Trees or shrubs, found chiefly in Australia. 

 Many of them are resinous, and of some species the berries are edible. Lindley men- 

 tions 12 genera, and 78 species. 



54. Brexiaceffi, BREXIADS. Trees, existing chiefly in Madagascar. Lindley 

 enumerates 4 genera, including 6 species. 



55 Zygophyllacese, BEAN CAPERS. Herbs, shrubs, or trees, occurring in various 

 parts of the globe, chiefly in warm regions. Lindley mentions 7 genera, including 100 

 species. Some of the plants abound in a stimulant resin; others are bitter and acrid. 

 Guaiacum qfficinale is a ber.utiful West Indian tree, yielding the hard and heavy wood 

 called Lignum-vitffi. (Fig. 31.) 



56. Rutacese RUEWORTS. Trees or shrubs, found chiefly in the south temperate 

 zone. There are 48 genera, and 400 species. These plants have a peculiar odour; 

 many possess anti-spasmodic properties; and others are bitter, and act as febrifuges 

 and tonics. 



57. Xanthoxylacese, XANTHOXYLS. Trees or shrubs of the tropical parts of 

 America. Lindley mentions 20 genera, comprising 110 species. The plants yield an 

 aromatic, pungent, and volatile oil; some are diaphoretic in their properties, others 

 are febrifugal and tonic. 



58. Simarubacese QUASSIADS. Trees or shrubs, found in the tropical regions of 

 America, Asia, and Africa. 10 genera, and 35 species. These plants are all intensely 

 bitter. Quassia is used medicinally as a tonic, and frequently by brewers as a sub- 

 stitute for hops. 



59. Odmacese OCHNADS. Undershrubs or trees, growing in tropieal countries. 

 They are mostly bitter, and some of them are used as tonics. Lindley enumerates 6 

 genera, comprising 82 species. 



60. Coriariacese CORIARIADS. Shrubs found in small numbers in the south of 

 Europe, South America, India, and New Zealand. Some of them are poisonous. 

 1 genus, 8 species. 



CALYCIFLOR^E. 



Calyx and Corolla present; Petals distinct; Stamens attached to the Calyx. 



61. Stackhousiacese, STACKHOUSIADS. Shrubs found in Australia, without any 

 marked properties. 2 genera, 10 species. 



