COMPOSITE. 439 



914. Henslow gives the following tabular view of these various 

 divisions the letter I meaning ligulate flowers; f, flosculous; H, 

 hermaphrodite; F, female; N, neuter; M, male; the relative position 

 of the letters indicating the nature of the florets in the circumference 

 and in the centre of the same capitulum ; and in the last three divi- 

 sions, the letters having reference to the nature of the separate 

 capitula : 



Jussieu. De Candolle. 



(i 1. I.) Cichoracese ....................... Liguliflorse 3. 



* , Labiatillonc 2. 



Heads of Flowers. Linnasan Orders. 



(H. H. H.) Homogamous .................... Polygamia sequalis. 



He,ero g amo, .................... ~ a . 



(F.M.F.) Monoecious ........................ --- necessaria. 



[(H.)] Involucrate florets ............... --- segregata. 



(M.) (F.) Dioecious .......................... * 



[(M.)(F.)j Heterocephalous ................. * 



915. The plants of this order are variously distributed over all 

 quarters of the world. In northern regions they are generally herba- 

 ceous, while in warm climates they sometimes become shrubby, or 

 even arborescent. Cichoracea3 abound in cold regions, while Corym- 

 bifera3 are common in hot climates. The number of known genera 

 amounts at present to upwards of 1000, comprehending 9500 species. 

 They are considered as forming ^ of the known species, and this seems 

 to have been the proportion at different periods. Thus, Linnaeus 

 enumerates 785 Compositae out of 8500 species of plants then known 

 all over the world : 



Composite. Known Species in the World. 



In 1809 ......... 2,800 ......... 27,000 



1838 ......... 8,523 ......... 85,000 



1846 ......... 9,500 ......... 95.000 



Examples Vernonia, Eupatorium, Aster, Bellis, Anthemis, Senecio, 

 Centaurea, Carduus, Triptilion, Trixis, Cichorium, Hieracium, Sondhus. 



916. The plants belonging to this vast order have all more or less 

 bitterness, which is sometimes associated with astringent, acrid, and 

 narcotic qualities. 



Suborder Cynarocephalce. The plants of this suborder are usually 

 tonic and stimulant. The bitterness of the plants of this section 

 is often much lessened by cultivation, so that they become esculent. 

 The root of Arctium Lappa (majus and minus), Burdock, is bitterish, 

 and has been used in the form of infusion as a substitute for sar- 

 saparilla. The root, leaves, and fruits (often called seeds), are diapho- 



