THE SPtJRGE FAMILY. 189 



moss," in addition to . that of " spurge," which it shares 

 with numerous other species of the same genus. The 

 family to which it belongs is chiefly tropical, and is one 

 of the few that are specially distinguished by their poison- 

 ous properties. Cases of poisoning as a result of handling 

 species cultivated for ornament are not infrequent. It 

 includes a number of species with powerful medicinal 

 properties, and others that furnish valuable food products, 

 while the fleshy Euphorbias, the Poinsettia, and others, 

 are well-known ornamental plants. 



