645 



SACCOLABIU1I. 



SAKIS. 



cia 



and feathery or rather silk-like inflorescence. The species are widely 

 distributed through the tropical parts of the world. The genus is 

 distinguished by the spikelets being all fertile and in pairs, one sessile, 

 the other stalked, articulated at the base, 2-flowered, the lower floret 

 neuter with one palea, the upper hermaphrodite with two palese. 

 Glumes 2, membranous. Palea) transparent, awnless; those of the 

 hermaphrodite flowers minute, unequal. Stamens 3. Ovary smooth ; 

 styles 2, long ; stigmas feathered with simple hairs. Scales 2, distinct, 

 obscurely 2- or 3-lobed at the point. Caryopsis smooth. 



S. officinarum, the best known species, or that yielding sugar in 

 India, is cultivated in all parts of that couutry, and several varieties 

 are known. It was introduced into the south of Europe and the 

 Canaries, aud thence into the West Indies. Another species intro- 

 duced from China, was named S. Sinense by Dr. Roxburgh. It was 

 extensively distributed throughout India, and still is so to some 

 extent, as the canes are large, rich in juice, and hard enough to resist 

 the attacks of the white ants. Within the last few years, the Otaheite 

 sugar-cane has been introduced from the Mauritius into India, and 

 rapidly spread through the country. It is no doubt the same species 

 that was many years since introduced into the West Indies. It is 

 probably the C'anne de Haite of Tussac, or & violacenm. 



Some of the species of Saccharum, owing to the silex in their 

 cuticle, are BO durable that they are employed in India for thatching, 

 such *tt S. cancUiculatum and S. cylindricum. This is the case with 

 S. tpontanenm, which also makes good mats. The natives of Bengal 

 make their pens of the hollow stems of <S. semidccumbem and of & 

 f uscum. The latter, as well as the culms of & porcermn, are also 

 used for screens and light fences, and other economical purposes. 



SACCOLA'BIUM, a genus of Plants belonging to the tribe Vandeai 

 and the natural order Orchidaccie, now extensively cultivated in hot- 

 houses especially dedicated to their cultivation. This is an Asiatic 

 genus, found in the Indian Archipelago, the Malay Peninsula, and 

 thence extending north along the Himalayan Mountains to 30 4' 

 N. lat., where S. guttalum is found on trees, as well as iu more 

 southern latitudes. The genus consists of caulescent epiphytes, with 

 2-rowed coriaceous leaves, which are often oblique at the apex. The 

 flowers are axillary, and either racemose or solitary. 

 SA'CCOMYS. [MURID.E; RODE.NTIA.] 

 SACRED-BEANS. [NELUMBIACE.E.] 

 SAFFLOWER. [CABTHAMUS.] 

 SAFFRON. [CROCUS.] 

 SAGAPENUM. [FERULA.] 

 SAGE. [SALVIA.T 

 SAGF.NA'RIA. [COAL-PLANTS.] 

 SAGENO'CRINUS. [ECIIWODEBMATA.] 

 SAGENO'PTERIS. [COAL-PLANTS.] 



SAGERE'TIA, a genus of Plants belonging to the natural order 

 of Khamnactft, formed, by M. A. Brongniart, of old species of Zizyiikui 

 and of Rltamntit, and named after M. Sageret, a French vegetable 

 physiologist. The species are found in both South and North America, 

 Java, China, and in India along the foot of the Himalayas. The only 

 species which requires particular notice is thee'sant, which is remark 

 able as being employed as a substitute for tea, even in China, where 

 the poor are described by Osbeck as making use of the leaves in the 

 game manner as those of the true tea, and for which it makes a good 

 substitute from its astringency and fragrance. 



SAGI'NA, a genus of Plants, from 'sagino,' to cram or fatten, a 

 name not very appropriate. This genus belongs to the natural order 

 Alsinacetv, and ia characterised by possessing an inferior calyx, with 

 4 spreading permanent sepals; 4 ovate obtuse petals, shorter than 

 the calyx ; 4 stamens ; superior ovary, witli 4 short styles ; capsule 

 splitting into 4 valves, and numerous minute seeds attached to a 

 central placenta. They form small herbs, which are very generally 

 diffused over the temperate regions of the globe. 

 The following species are British : 

 S. procumbens, with the central stem very short ; the leaves linear, 

 curved; the apex of the peduncles reflexed, but, after flowering, 

 ultimately erect. 



>'. ni*tala, with the leaves linear-mucronate. 

 S. ciliata has the outer sepal pointed, exceeding and adpressed to 

 the mature capsule ; their lips patent. 



fi. maritima has the central stem elongated, forked ; leaves fleshy 

 blunt; peduncles always erect. 



S. iaxatili hag the central stem short and barren ; peduncles anc 

 calyx glabrous. 



8. tubulata has the leaves awned; peduncles and calyx glandular 

 hairy. 



X nodota IIM the upper leaves fasciculated ; petals much longer 

 than the calyx. This species is called Knotted Spuney. 

 (Babington, Manual of Britith Botany.) 



SAQITTA'RIA (from 'sagitta,' an arrow, a term indicating thi 

 shape of the leaves), a genus of Plants belonging to the natural ordei 

 Aiumacecv. The genus is characterised by possessing barren anc 

 fertile flowers, with a 3-leaved calyx and 3 petals. The fertile flower 

 have numerous pistils collected into a head, and 1 -seeded compresse< 

 and margined pericarps. The species of this genus are water-plants 

 and are found in the hotter and temperate parts of the globe 

 and are frequently remarkable for the beauty of their flowers. Th 



nly species indigenous iu this country is the S. sagillifolia, Common 

 Arrowhead, which is known by its arrow-shaped leaves with Ian- 

 eolate straight lobes. The rhizomata of many of the species contain 

 mylaceous matter, aud form a nutritious food, for which purpose 

 bey are said to be used by the Kalmuk Tartars. 



SAGO. [FOOD.] 



SAGOUIN. [SAPAJOUS.] 



SAGRA. [EUPODA.] 



SAGUERUS. [SAGUS.] 



SAGUINUS. [SAPAJOUS.] 



SAGUS, or SAGUERUS, a genus of Plants belonging to the family 

 f Palms, The leaves are pinnated ; the flowers monoecious ; the 

 padix branched, without any common spathe, but with numerous 

 jartial ones; the fruit hard, shining, its surface divided into numc- 

 ous rhomboidal spaces. The species are natives of the islands of 

 he Indian Archipelago, and yield sago. 



S. laivis, the True Sago-Palm, has the petioles aud spathes unarmed. 

 This palm furnishes most of the sago sent to Europe. 



S. Rumphii has the petioles aud spathes guarded by strong prickles. 

 According to Martin, the sago yielded by this plant is used principally 

 n India, and seldom exported. [FOOD.] 



SAHLITE. [AuaiTE.] 



SAlGA. [ANTILOPE.E.] 



SAIL-FISH. [SQUALID*.] 



SAIMIRI. [SAPAJOUS.] 



SAINFOIN. [ONOBHYCIIIS.] 



SAINT BONIFACE'S PENNIES, the separated portions of tie 

 stalk of the Lily Encrinite. [ENCRINITES.] 



SAINT CUTHBEHT'S BEADS. [ENCRINITES.] 



SAINT IGNATIUS'S BEAN. [LOGANIACEJJ.] 



SAISIN. [ANTILOPE<E.] 



SAJOU. [SAPAJOUS.] 



SAKIS. The genus Pithecia, of Desmarest and Illiger comprehends 

 ;hose American Monkeys which are generally known by the name of 

 <akis, or rather those Sakis which have for the most part long and 

 jushy tails, and thus have obtained the name of Fox-Tailed Monkeys ; 

 'or the term Saki, in its general applicatiou, designates any American 

 monkey whose tail is not prehensile. 



Pithecia has the facial angle 60 degrees ; head round ; muzzle short ; 

 ears moderate, rounded ; canine teeth very strong. Tail shorter than 

 the body, not prehensile, and covered with very long hairs. Feet 

 pentadactyle ; nails claw-like, short and bent. Habits nocturnal. 



Dental Formula : Incisors, - ; Canines, ; 



4 1 1 



Molars, = 36. 

 66 



P. Satanas is the Cuxio of Humboldt; Cebus Satanas, Hoffm. ; 

 Brachyurui leraclita, Spix. 



Colour entirely dusky black, paler beneath, where the hair becomes 

 very thin, and has a purplish tiuge which is visible oil the face and 

 hands. Hair of the very bushy tail, which is nearly of the length of 

 the body, long and soft. Total length, including the tail, about 

 2 feet 9 inches. 



The hair of the head is thick, aud falls over the forehead, and the 

 beard is very much developed. 



The female is rusty brown. 



It inhabits the forests of Brazil Para, on the banks of the 

 Orinoco. 



It is partial to the fruit of a kind of palm ; and it is represented in 

 the act of eating it, by Humboldt, from whoso iigure ours is taken. 



cia Satanai. 



