594 A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



Ilia triciispidata lanceolata of Chile; an indigo-like principle is 

 obtained from Mercurialis perennis of Europe. The fresh latex 

 of Euphorbia phosphorea of Brazil is phosphorescent. 



Quite a number of the seeds of this family contain fatty oils. 

 The Chinese Tallow tree {Sapium scbifenim) yields a fat which 

 is used for burning and for technical purposes ; a similar fat is 

 obtained from the seeds of several species of Aleurites and 

 Euphorbia. 



Tapioca starch is derived from the tuberous roots of Manihot 

 utilissima, extensively cultivated in tropical countries ; other spe- 

 cies of Manihot also yield starchy food products. 



Edible fruits are obtained from the following genera: Phyl- 

 lanthus, Baccaurea and Antidesma ; the seeds of Hevea hrasiliensis 

 are edible; a sweet sap is found in Baccaurea ramiflora of Cochin 

 China and Brazil; a peptone-like ferment is found in Euphorbia 

 heterodoxa of South America and other species of Euphorbia. 



XVII. ORDER SAPINDALES. 



The plants of this order are chiefly trees and shrubs. The 

 flowers are mostly regular and the seeds usually without endo- 

 sperm. The order has a number of representatives in both tropical 

 and temperate regions. 



a. BUXACE^E OR BOX TREE FAMILY.— The plants are 

 shrubs with alternate or opposite, evergreen leaves, and usually 

 axillary monoecious or dioecious flowers. The most important 

 plant of this family is the Box tree {Buxus sempervirens) , which 

 is extensively cultivated. The wood is used for making musical 

 instruments and for other purposes, and the twigs have been used 

 in medicine. The latter contain several alkaloids, the most impor- 

 tant being buxine, w^hich resembles beberine ; a volatile oil con- 

 taining butyric acid and a wax containing myricyl alcohol and 

 myricin. 



b. FAMILY CORIARACEyE.— This family is represented 

 by but a single genus, Coriaria. The plants are shrubs found 

 in Europe, Asia and South America, and yield several important 

 economic products. The leaves and bark of C. myrtifolia of 

 Southern Europe and Northern Africa are rich in tannin and used 

 in dyeing. This plant also contains a narcotic principle, resem- 



