426 UMBELLIFERJE. 



ing leaves, (which sometimes assume the appearance of phyllodia), and 

 with umbellate, involucrate flowers (fig. 241). They are found chiefly 

 in the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. In warm countries 

 they occur at high elevations. The order has been divided according 

 to the number and size of the pericarpial ridges, the presence or ab- 

 sence of vittse, and the form of the albumen. The following are the 

 several sections, which, however, are not considered altogether satis- 

 factory: 1. Orthospermai (o'gtfoj, straight, and wi^pa, seed), albumen 

 flat on the inner face, neither involute nor convolute. 2. Campy- 

 lospermae (x,ttw^Aoj, inflected), albumen curved at the margins, so 

 as to form a longitudinal furrow. 3. Coelospermae (*oi>or, concave), 

 albumen curved at the ends (from base to apex). Lindley enumer- 

 ates 267 genera, including 1500 species. Examples Hydrocotyle, 

 Eryngium, Apiuni, Bupleurum, yEthusa, Angelica, Heracleum, 

 Daucus, Myrrhis, Conium, Coriandrum. 



889. The properties of the plants of this order are various. Some 

 yield articles of diet, others gum-resinous and oily substances, while- 

 others are highly poisonous. According to their qualities, the species 

 have been divided into 1. Those which are harmless, and are used as 

 esculent vegetables. 2. Those producing a gum-resin, often having a 

 fetid odour from the presence of a sulphur-oil, and which are used as 

 antispasmodics and stimulants. 3. Those yielding a volatile oil, which 

 renders them carminative and aromatic. 4. Those which are poison- 

 ous, in consequence of the presence of an acrid and narcotic juice. 



890. Among esculent species may be noticed Daucus Carota (Car- 

 rot), Pastinaca saliva (Parsnip), Apium graveolens (Celery), Fceniculum 

 vulgare (Fennel), Petroselinum sativum (Parsley), Anthriscus Cerefoliutn 

 (Chervil), Sium >S&arm(Skirret), and Archangelica officinalis (Angelica). 

 Crithmum maritimum is the Samphire, which grows abundantly on rocks 

 near the sea, and is used as a pickle. The roots ofArracacha esculenta, 

 a native of Grenada, have been recommended as a substitute for the 

 potato. The tubers of Bunium Bulbocastanum and jlexuosum are eaten 

 under the name of Pig-nuts or Earth-nuts. Prangos pabularia, a plant 

 of Southern Tartary, is highly recommended as fodder for cattle. 



891. Many species yield milky juices, which concrete into a fetid 

 gum-resin. Assafcetida is procured from the Ferula, Assafcetida of Lin- 

 nams, which has recently been described by Dr. Falconer under the 

 name of Narthex Assafatida. The plant is found in Persia and Affghan- 

 istan, and seeds of it have been sent to this country by Dr. Falconer, 

 some of which have germinated in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, 

 and are now vigorous thriving plants of five years' growth. The fruit 

 of the plant is distinguished by divided and interrupted vittse, which 

 form a network on the surface, and its leaves have a resemblance to 

 those of a Pasony. It would appear that Ferula persica, a plant with 

 very much divided leaves, yields an inferior sort of assafoetida. The 



