ISO 



THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



18. RUTACE^E (Ruta graveolens) Rue. 



Rue is a well-known shrub with 

 small pinnate leaves, and pos- 

 sessing a strong and very dis- 

 agreeable odour; this depends 

 upon the volatile oil which is 

 contained in the glands with 

 which the leaves are dotted. It 

 has been, from time immemorial, 

 used as a medicine. Another 

 member of this order, the Buchu 

 (Diosmia crenata), is also used 

 medicinally. 



Rue. 



19. OXALIDACEJE (Oxalis acetosella) Wood Sorrel. 



The Wood Sorrel is very acid, and 

 from its juice is made the salt 

 of sorrel (which is bin-oxalate 

 of potash), used to get out ink 

 and iron stains from linen, &c. 

 This is supposed to be the true 

 Shamrock. 



Wood Sorrel. 



This completes the orders of Thalamiflorae, which, with 

 the following sub-class, Calyciflorae, contain all our star-like 

 flowers, or those in which the corolla forms a whorl or open 

 ring of petals. The third sub-class contains those chiefly in 

 which the flowers form cups or bells. 



