390 XANTHOXYLACE^E OR ZANTHOXYLACE^. 



89), and hermaphrodite flowers. The order has been subdivided into 

 two suborders: 1. Rutese, with albuminous seeds, and the fruit with 

 sarcocarp and endocarp combined. 2. Diosmeae, with exalbuminous 

 seeds, and a 2-valved endocarp, which dehisces at the base, and when 

 the fruit is ripe separates from a 2-valved sarcocarp. Ruteas are 

 found chiefly in the southern part of the temperate zone, as in the 

 south of Europe, while Diosmeae abound at the Cape of Good Hope, 

 and in New Holland. Lindley mentions 48 genera, and 400 species. 

 Examples Ruta, Dictamnus, Diosma, Barosma, Correa, Boronia. 



828. The plants are remarkable for their peculiar odour, which is 

 very powerful and penetrating. Many have antispasmodic properties, 

 while others are bitter and act as febrifuges and tonics. The leaves 

 and unripe fruit of Ruta graveolens, common or garden Rue, are used 

 in medicine as stimulants, antispasmodics, anthelmintics, and emmena- 

 gogues. They emit when bruised a strong and peculiar oppressive 

 odour, and have a bitter and acrid taste. By distillation with water, 

 they yield a yellow acrid volatile oil, which is their active constituent. 

 The leaves of various species of Barosma, especially B. crenata or 

 crenulata, and serratifolia, are used in medicine under the name of 

 Bucku or Buchu. They contain a yellowish volatile oil, having a 

 powerful odour, and they have been used as stimulant and antispas- 

 modic. They are prescribed in cases of irritation and catarrh of the 

 bladder in the form of infusion and tincture. Galipea qfficinalis, a 

 plant found in Columbian Guiana, supplies the Angustura bark, which 

 is used as a tonic and febrifuge. It is probable that Galipea Cusparia, 

 sometimes called Bonplandia trifoliata, also furnishes a variety of An- 

 gustura bark. On the continent, Angustura bark is sometimes 

 adulterated with the poisonous bark of Strychnos Nux-vomica. Some 

 of the species of Dictamnus, such as D. Fraxinella, False Dittany, 

 abound in volatile oil to such a degree that the atmosphere around 

 them becomes inflammable in hot, dry, and calm weather. The 

 Correas are remarkable for their gamopetalous corolla. The leaves of 

 some of the species have been used for tea in New Holland. 



829. Order 57. Xanthoxylacete or Zanthoxylaceie, the Xanthoxy- 



lon Family. (Polypet Hypog.) Flowers unisexual. Calyx in 3, 4, or 5 

 segments, with imbricated estivation. Petals the same number, rarely 

 0, usually larger than the calyx; a3Stivation imbricated or convolute. 

 Stamens as many or twice as many as the petals, not developed hi 

 the female flowers. Ovary consisting of as many carpels as there 

 are petals (sometimes fewer), the carpels being either completely or 

 partially united (fig. 380): ovules 2, rarely 4, in each carpel; styles 

 more or less combined (fig. 380 s). Fruit baccate or membranous, 

 sometimes of 2-5 cells, sometimes of several drupes, or 2-valved 

 capsules, of which the fleshy sarcocarp is partly separable from the 

 endocarp. Seeds solitary or in pairs, pendulous ; embryo lying 



