CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERAIS. 



239 



A number of the plants of this family contain saponin, as the 

 species of Smilax. Some contain coniferin and vanillin, as Aspar- 

 agus officinalis. Some of the group contain glucosidal principles 

 which under the influence of ferments yield ethereal oils contain- 

 ing sulphur, as the various species of Allium. 



Fig. 131. Coumarin. Type A, tabular crystals obtained by cooling melted coumarin 

 to 54-56 C; type B, aggregates of tabular crystals; type C, needles; type D, short prisms 

 obtained from hot aqueous solutions. 



A number of plants of the Liliaceae are used as vegetables as 

 the onion and asparagus. Garlic ( Allium sativum) contains a 

 glucoside, alliin, which on hydrolysis with an oxydase (allisin) 

 forms the essential oil of garlic. A number also are quite 

 poisonous when fresh but edible wdien cooked. 



b. AMARYLLIDACE^ OR AMARYLLUS FAMILY. 

 This group is of special interest because it includes the Agave 



