CAPRIFOLIACE.E. 189 



Geographical Relations. Most abundant in the tro- 

 pics, but found elsewhere, though very few are Euro- 

 pean. 



Properties. A generalization is made by Decandolle, 

 that the seeds of the cucurbitaceous plants are mild and 

 wholesome, and do not participate in the energetic 

 properties of the rind and fruit ; and it will be found 

 that they are sweet and innocuous even in the poisonous 

 species. 



These plants often contain a powerful purgative prin- 

 ciple, occasionally so energetic as to cause the term poi- 

 sonous to be applied to them. 



Officinal Plants. 



Cucumis colocynthis. 

 Momordica elaterium. 



25. CAPRIFOLIACE^E. 



Calyx superior, its limb 4-5 cleft. Corolla with divi- 

 sions equal to the calyx, regular or irregular. Stamens 

 equal in number to the pieces of the corolla, and alternate 

 with them ; filaments included or extended. Ovarium 

 3-4-celled, one cell having one ovule, the others many 

 and pendulous. Fruit dry or fleshy, crowned by the 

 limb of the calyx. Seeds solitary or many and pen- 

 dulous; testa often horny; embryo straight, albumen 

 fleshy. 



Herbaceous or shrubby, with exstipulate alternate 

 leaves. Inflorescence cymose. 



Geographical Relations. Belong more particularly to 

 the north temperate zones, but found in China, West 

 Indies, etc. 



Properties. Astringency of bark, beauty and fra- 



