EXOGENS. 153 



The Gooseberry and Currant family, (GROSSULARIA- 

 CE.E,) the Saxifrage family, (SAXIFRAGACE.E,) the Witch- 

 hazel family, (HAMAMELIDACE^E,) are all of this section 

 of Exogens, with many others. The Umbelliferous fam- 

 ily (UMBELLIFERE^E) are characterized by the radiating 

 or umbrella-like arrangement of the florets. The prop- 

 erties of the plants of this family are various. Some 

 yield articles of diet, as the Parsnip, (Pastinaca sativa^) 

 Carrot, (Daucus Carota,} and Parsley, (Petroselinum 

 sativum.) Others yield milky juices, which dry into a 

 fetid gum-resin, as the Ferula Assafcetida, yielding Assa- 

 fcetida, and Dorema Ammoniacum, which produces Am- 

 moniae. Others again supply a carminative and aro- 

 matic oil, as Caraway-seeds (Carum Carui) and Fennel, 

 (F&niculum dulce.) Some species are quite poisonous, 

 as the Conium maculatum, or Hemlock, which contains 

 a volatile alkaline poison, called Conia. 



7. In the sub-class, or order THALAMIFLOR^E, the 

 stamens are inserted under the pistil into the thalamus, 

 or receptacle. The petals, also, are inserted into the 

 receptacle. In some cases the petals are abortive, and 

 it becomes hard to determine whether the plant belongs 

 to this division or to Monochlamydeae. 



The RANUNCULACE.E, or Crowfoot family, is charac- 

 terized chiefly by having several distinct carpels, above 

 numerous stamens. The plants are generally narcotic 

 acid poisons. The Ranunculus, Anemone, Larkspur, 

 Aconite, and Peony are examples. 



The leaves of Aconitum Napellus, or Monkshood, are 

 used in medicine, as well as the rhizome of Podophyllum 

 peltatum, or May Apple. 



