376 OBDEB 63. UMBELLIFER.E. 



thickened bases. Stigmas simple. Fruit a cremocarp ( 557), consisting of 2 co- 

 herent achenia called mericarps which separate along tho middle space, which is 

 called tho commissure. 

 Carpophore, the slender, simple or forked axis attached to and supporting the 



mericarps at top, inclosed between them at tho commissure. 

 Jlibs 5 ridges traversing each mericarp lengthwise, and often 4 intermediato or 



secondary ones, some, all, or nono of them winged. 

 Viltce little tubular receptacles of colored volatile oil imbedded in the substance 



of the pericarp, just beneath the intervals of the ribs, and also sometimes in tho 



face of the commissure. 

 Embryo in the base of abundant, horny albumen. (Dlust. in figs. 25, 27, 102, 13-1, 



135, 163, 207, 297, 433.) 



Genera 270, species 1500 or more. A large and well defined natural order, native of damp 

 places, waysides, groves, Ac., in the cool parts of tho world. Very few are found in tropical 

 countries, except upon the mountains. 



Properties, aromatic, stimulant and carminative, depending; upon a volatile oil residing in tho 

 vittre of the fruit, in the roots &c. The herbage is frequently pervaded by an acrid, narcotic 

 principle, rendering it very poisonous. Of this nature is the Coniimi maculatum (Hemlock), 

 Ciciita virosa, jfilhusa Cynapiiun (Fool's Parsley), besides many others which have at least a 

 suspicious character. But the fruit is never poisonous, and is usually stimulant and aromatic, 

 as Caraway, Anise, Dill, Coriander. &c. Even the roots and herbage of other species are whole- 

 some and nutritive, as the Carrot. Parsnip, Sweet Cicely, Celery, and Archansreliea. Tlie gum 

 resin amutfaetida exudes from incUions on the Ferula of Persia. The Gum Gtilbtnntm is tho 

 product of Galbanum officinale, an Indian species. The genera of the Umbelliferw are often best 

 defined by characters founded upon tho numbc-r and development of the ribs, the presence or 

 absence of the villa?, and the form of the albumen, particularly at the commissure. These 

 parts, therefore, minute as they are, will require the especial attention of the student. 



De Candolle subdivided the Umbehvorts into sections, depending upon the form of tlio albu- 

 men and seed, whether (1.) ll.it on the inner fice, or (-2.) convolute at the sides, or (3.) involute 

 at the ends. This arrangement is often impracticable as a step in the 



ANALYSIS OP THE GENERA. 



Flowers in simple umbels, sometimes spicatc. Leaves simple, (a) 

 Flowers in capitate umbels, i. o., sessile, forming dense heads, (b) 

 Flowers in regularly compound uiftbcls, not sessile in heads. (1) 



1 Fruit flattened on tho back, the margins only singly winged, (c) 

 1 Fruit flattened on the back, the margin only doubly winged, (d) 

 1 Fruit terete or flattened on tho sides. Ribs bristly cchinate. (e) 



Gibs smooth. Flowers xanthic. (f) 

 Ribs smooth. Flowers cyanic. (2) 

 2 Plants exotic, growing in gardens, &c. (1) 

 2 Plants native or naturalize.!, growing wild. (3) 

 3 Fruit slender, thrice longer than wide, often boaked. (g) 

 3 Fruit short, once to twice as long as wide. Kibs (G to 10)-winged. (h 



Eibs not winged. (4) 



4 Seed furrowed or excavated on the inner face, (i) 

 4 Seed flat on the inner face. Involucre nono or almost none, (j) 

 Involucre of 2 to 8 bracts, (k) 



a Fruit flat, orbicular. Leaves round or roundish HYDUOCOTTLK 1 



a Fruit globular. Leaves linear, fleshy phyllodia CUANTZIA. 9 



b Flowers partly sterile. Fruit densely muricato, few SANICULA. 3 



b Flowers all fertile. Fruit scaly, many in the head. EETNOIUM. 4 



C Flowers yellow. Fruit wilh a thick, corky margin POLYTJKNIA. 5 



C Flowers yellow. Fruit with a thin margin PASTINACA. C 



C Flowers white, of two sorts, the marginal radiant HERACLKUM. 7 



all alike. Lfts. 3 to 9, mostly entire ARCHEMOBA. 8 



Lft. 0, phyllodia linear TIEDEMANNIA. 9 



d Seed adheronl to the pericarp, with 6 to S vittse ANGELICA. 19 



d Seed not adherent, &c., n'.l covered with vittao. . AECUANGKL.ICA. 11 



e Involucre of several pinnatifld bracts DAVCI-S. 12 



f Involucels of ovale, entire bracts. Leaves simple BCPI.URUM. 13 



f Involucels none. Carpels with 5 obtuse ribs AXF.TIIUM. 14 



f Involucels subulate. Ribs sharp or winged. Leaflets toolhed. .. .TiiASi-nrsr. 15 

 Ribs not at all winged. Leaflets entire ZIZIA. 18 



