THK VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 5 



62. Celastraceae, SPINDLE-TREES. Small trees or shrubs found in the warm parts 

 of Europe, North America, and Asia; and also at the Cape of Good Hope. There are 

 24 genera, and 260 species. These plants have sub-acrid properties, and the seeds of 

 some yield a useful oil; others are considered poisonous. The bark of Enonymus 

 tingens furnishes a yellow dye. 



63. Staphyleaceae, BLADDER-NUTS. Shrubs scattered over various parts of the 

 globe. Some of them are sub-acrid, and others bitter and astringent. They are culti- 

 vated as handsome shrubs. 3 genera, and 14 species. 



64. Rhamnaceae, BUCKTHORNS. Trees or shrubs, distributed generally over the globe, 

 and found both in temperate and tropical regions. There are 42 genera, and 250 

 species. Many of these plants have active cathartic properties; some yield edible 

 fruit, and others are tonic and febrifugal. 



65. AnacardiaceSJ, ANACARDS. Trees or shrubs with a resinous and often caustic 

 juice. They are found chiefly in the tropical parts of the world. There are 41 genera, 

 and 95 species. Many of these plants supply varnishes. Anacardium occidental fur- 

 nishes the edible Cashew-nut. Although a resinous principle pervades the plants of 

 this order, yet, in some cases, it is not developed in the fruit, which becomes eatable, as 

 exhibited in the Mango and the Hog-plums of the West Indies. (F ; gs. 32, 33, 34.) 



66. Amyridaceae, AMTRIDS. Trees or shrubs abounding in resin, and natives of 

 tropical regions. Lindley mentions 22 genera, and 45 species. The plants yield a 

 fragrant balsamic and resinous juice, which, when dry, is often used as frankincense, 

 and is employed medicinally as a stimulant and expectorant, 



67. Connaraceae, CONNARADS. Trees or shrubs of the tropics, and possessing febri- 

 fuge properties. Lindley notices 5 genera, and 41 species. 



68. Leguminosse, PEA and BEAN Tribe. Herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees. The 

 plants of this order are very generally distributed over the globe. The number of 

 known genera, according to Lindley, is 467, comprehending 6,500 species. This exten- 

 sive and important natural order embraces many valuable medicinal plants, as those 

 yielding senna, gum-arabic, catechu, &c.; important dyes, as indigo and logwood; 

 many valuable timber trees, as locust-tree and rosewood ; and food plants, as the bean 

 and pea. The properties of the order are in general wholesome, although it contains 

 some poisonous plants. (Figs. 35, 36, 37, 38.) 



69. Moringaceae, MORINGADS. Trees of the East Indies and Arabia. Some of them 

 have pungent and aromatic qualities. The seeds of Moringa pieryyosperma, the horse- 

 radish tree, are winged, and are called Ben-nuts; from these is procured a fluid oil, 

 used by watchmakers, and called Oil of Ben, Lindley notices 1 genus, and 4 species. 



70. Rosaceae, ROSEWORTS. Herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees, found chiefly in 

 the cold and temperate climates of the northern hemisphere. There are 82 known 

 genera, and about 1,000 species. Many of the plants yield edible fruits, as Strawberries, 

 Plums, Apples, Cherries, Almonds, &c. (Fig. 39). Some are astringent, others yield 

 hydrocyanic acid. 



71. Calycanthaceae. CALYCANTHS. Shrubs with square stems, and natives of 

 North America and Japan. Their flowers are aromatic, and the bark of some is used 

 as a carminative. The order includes 2 genera, and 6 species. 



72. Lythraceae, LOOSESTRIFES. Herbs and shrubs, natives of Europe, North and 

 South America, and India. Lindley mentions 35 genera, and 300 species. Many of 

 the plants have astringent qualities, and some are used for dyeing. 



73. Rhizophoraceae, MANGROVES. Trees or shrubs found on the muddy shores of 

 the tropics. There are 5 genera, and 20 species known. Some of these plants 

 have an astringent bark, which is used for dyeing black. Rhizophora Mangle, the 

 Mangrove-tree, forms thickets at the muddy mouths of rivers, and sends out adven- 

 titious roots which raise the trunk above its original level, giving the tree the appear- 

 ance of being supported upon stalks. The fruit is sweet and edible (Fig. 40). 



74. Vochysiaceae, VOCHYADS. Trees or shrubs, inhabiting the warmer parts of 

 America. Their properties are imperfectly known. There are 8 genera, and 51 species. 



75. Combretaceae, MYROBALANS. Trees or shrubs, natives of the tropics. Their 

 properties are astringent, many are used for tanning, and some for dyeing. Lindley 

 enumerates 22 genera, including 200 species. 



76. MelastoinaceaB, MELASTOMADS. Trees, shrubs, or herbs, found chiefly in warm 

 climates. The plants are wholesome, and the succulent fruit of several is edible. 

 They possess slight astringent qualities. Lindley mentions 118 genera, including 

 1,200 species. 



77. Alangiaceae, ALANGIADS. Trees or shrubs, found chiefly in India; some, how- 

 ever, are natives of America. Lindley enumerates 3 genera, including 8 species. 

 Some of the plants yield edible fruits, others are purgative. 



78. PMladelphaceae, SYRINGAS. Shrubs, natives of the south of Europe, of North 



