10 POPULAR SKETCH OF 



this order belongs Tectcna grandis, the gigantic Teak-tree of India, which attains a 

 height of 200 feet. 



139. Acanthaceae, ACANTHADS. Herbaceous plants or shrubs, abounding in tropi- 

 cal regions, 'i here are, according to Lindley, 105 genera, and about 750 species. 

 These plants have mucilaginous and bitter qualities. The leaves of the Acanthus 

 gave origin to the capital of the Corinthian column. 



140. Lentibulariaceae, BUTTERWORTS. Aquatic or marsh herbaceous plants, 

 found in all parts of the world. Lindley enumerates 4 gemra, and 173 species. These 

 plants have no properties of importance. 



141. Primulaceae, PRIMWORTS. Herbaceous plants of temperate and cold regions. 

 There are 29 genera, and 215 species. Acridity prevails more or less in these plants. 

 They are chiefly cultivated as showy garden flowers. 



142. Plumbaginaceae, LEADWORTS or SEA-PINKS. Herbs or undershrubs, in- 

 habiting the sea shores and salt marshes of temperate regions chiefly. Lindley enume- 

 rates 8 genera, and 160 species. Some of the plants are acrid, others have tonic 

 properties. 



143. PlantaginaceaB, RIBWORTS. Herbs which are often stemless; they are found 

 chiefly in temperate and cool regions. Lindley notices 3 genera, and 120 species. 

 These plants are frequently bitter and astringent, and their mucilaginous seeds are 

 sometimes used as demulcents. 



MONOCHLAMYDEJE. 



Calyx or simple Perianth present; Corolla wanting; Flowers sometimes achlamydeous. 



144. Nyctaginaceae, NYCTAGOS. Herbs, shrubs, or trees, natives principally of 

 warm regions. Lindley mentions 14 genera, and 100 species. Their qualities are 

 mostly purgative. Some species are cultivated as garden flowers. 



145. AmaranthaCfcSB, AMARANTHS. Herbs and shrubs of tropical and temperate 

 regions. There are 38 known genera, and 282 species. These plants are mostly 

 mucilaginous and demulcent. Many of them are cultivated in gardens, including 

 those known under the popular names of Love-lies-bleeding, Cockscomb, &c. 



146. Chenopodiacese, CHENOPODS. Herbs, under-shrubs, or weeds, found in most 

 parts of the world. There are 67 genera, and 372 species. Many of these plants are used 

 as esculent pot-herbs, as spinage, beet, &c. Beetroot yields a quantity of sugar, and 

 Ambrina anthelmintica yields a volatile oil, which is used as a vermifuge. 



147. Phytolaccaceae, PHYTOLACCADS. Undershrubs or herbs, natives both of 

 tropical and warm countries. They are found in Asia, Africa, and America. The 

 order has been divided into two sub-orders: 1. Phytolacceae; 2. Petiveriea?. There are 

 12 genera, and about 70 species. These plants have frequently acrid qualities, and act 

 as irritant emetics and purgatives. Some yield potash. 



148. Polygonaceae, BUCKWHEATS. Herbaceous, rarely shrubby plants, found in 

 most parts of the world, but especially in north temperate regions. The order has 

 been divided into 1. Poly goneas; 2. Eriogoneae. These plants have astringent and 

 acrid properties; some are purgative, and a few acrid. The fruit of Fagopyrum escu- 

 lentum (Fig. 65), and other species of Buckwheat, is used as food. One of the most 

 important plants of the order is the Rhubarb plant. Lindley notices 29 genera, and 

 490 species. 



149. Begoniaceae, BEGONIADS. Semi -succulent herbaceous plants and undershrubs, 

 natives of warm countries. Their leaves and young stems are acrid, the roots are 

 astringent and slightly bitter. Begonia obliqua is sometimes called Wild Rhubarb. 

 There are 3 genera, and 159 species. 



150. Lauraceae, LAURELS. Trees, and sometimes twining parasitic, and leafless 

 herbs, or undershrubs. Natives chiefly of the tropical regions of Asia and America. 

 The order has been divided into two sub-orders: 1. Lauieae, true laurels, trees with 

 leaves; 2. Gassy these, Dodder-laurels, climbing parasitic plants without leaves. There 

 are 46 genera, and 450 species. These plants are, in general, aromatic and fragrant; 

 many of them furnish oils, others camphor, some have bitter and tonic barks, and 

 others supply useful timber. Camphora officinarutn is the camphor tree of China and 

 Japan. Sassafras officinarum is an American tree, the root of which is used in medi- 

 cine. Cinnamamvm zeylanicum is the true Cinnamon tree of Ceylon. The bark of the 

 tree is the cinnamon of commerce; the root yields camphor. Another species, Cinna- 

 momum Cassia, supplies the Cassia bark of commerce. The clove nutmegs of Mada- 

 gasca are produced by Agathophyllum aromaticum ; and Brazilian nutmegs by Crypto- 

 can/a moschata. (Figs, 66, 67, 68.) 



151. Myristicaceae, NUTMEGS. Trees of the tropical regions of Asia and America. 

 There are 5 genera, and upwards of 30 species. Acridity and aromatic fragrance are 

 the properties of these plants. The most important species is Myrisiica officinalis, 

 a tree of the Moluccas. The fruit is drupaceous, and when ripe opens by two valves, 



