oi^^ei^o 







tltJ4w^ f| :\ 



Chapter IX. 



Order IX.— HYPERICINE^. St John's Worts. 



Character of the Order. — Herbs, shrubs or trees, with 

 opiiosite, simpk', quite entire or ghmdular-toothed, often pel- 

 lucid-dotted e\stipulate leaves. Flowers regular, herniapho- 

 dite. Sepals 5, imbricate. Petals 5, hypogvnous, imbricate. 

 Disk 0. Stamens indefinite, hypogynous, free or polya- 

 delplious, fdaments filiform. Ovarv 3-5 celled, or 1-ccUed with 



indexed margins to the carpels. Styles as many as carpels, 

 filiform, free or connate, stigmas terminal; Ovuh's numerous, 

 in 2 series in the axis of the cells, or on the inlleied edges of 

 the carpels. Fruit usually capsular. Seeds cxalbuniinou:<. — 

 Handbook of Sew Zealand Flora, p. 2S. 



Descriptiox of the Order.- 



>XTENSIYELY distributed throughout tho workl. There are uiueteen 

 genera, and nearly three hundred species in the order. Some of the plants 

 are purgative, others tonic and astringent, and some species yield a gum 

 resin similar to gamboge. The name Hupericum is as old as the time of 

 Dioscorides, but its origin and meaning are uncertain. Some derive it 

 from the Greek word hiiper, under, and eikoic, an image ; and suppose 

 it to signify that the upper part of the flower represents a figure. Others state that 

 hyper signifies through, and that the name alludes to the jiellucid dots in the leaves, 

 which form small lenses, through which, when held to the light, images may be seen. 

 The French name of the plant, Millepertuis, " a thousand pores," is eA-idently derived 

 from the same source. The English name, "St. John's Wort," is taken from the 

 country people formerly being in the habit of gathermg this plant on St. John's Day, 

 to use it to jirotect themselves from the influence and attacks of evil spirits. 



