216 ORDER YII. — CABOMBACEiE. 



Genus IV.— JEFTERSO'JS'IA. Bart. 8—1. {Twin-leaf) 

 (In honor of Thos. Jefferson.) 



Sepalf 4 — 5, fugacious. Petals 8, linear, oblong. Stamens 

 8 ; anthers linear. Ovary obovate ; stigma peltate. Capsule 

 1 -celled, opening by a slit near the summit. Seeds arranged 

 on a broad lateral placenta, in several rows. Rhizoma horizon- 

 tal, throwing up a 1 -flowered scape. 



1. J. diphyl'la, (Pers.) Leaves in pairs, glaucous beneath. Stigma 

 with an undulate margin. Pericarp coriaceous. — White, li. May. 

 Mountains. 



There are two varieties of this species; o, leaves obscurely sinuate or nearly entire, 

 &, leaflets incisely 5— 7-lobed. 



Genus V.— PODOPHYL'LUM. L. 12—1. {Mandrake, May Apple.) 

 (From the Greek podos, a foot, and p7iullon, a leaf.) 



Sejyals 3, caducous. Petals obovate, 6 — 9. Stamens 16 — 18 ; 

 anthers linear. Stiyma large, sessile. Capsule indehiscent, 

 fleshy. Seeds numerous, on a lateral placenta. 



1. P. pelta'tum, (L.) Rhizoma horizontal ; stem simple, terminated 

 by 2 leaves and 1 flower. Leaves peltate, 5 — 7-parted ; lobes toothed 

 or cleft at the apex. Flowers arising from between the leaves, large, 

 nodding. — White. If. May. Common. 12 — 15 inches. 



The root of the Podophyllum is an important medicine. It is among tlie most pow- 

 erful cathartics, and is said to resemble Jalap in its operations, and has been used as 

 a substitute for that article in connection with calomel. In bilious complaints it is 

 said to act very favorably. In minute doses, it produces relief from distressing coaglis 

 in consumption and catarrh. Full dose, 20 grains of powdered root. 



Genus VI.— CROOMIA. T. & G. 4—1. 

 (In honor of the late H, B. Croom of Florida.) 



Sepals 4' broadly oval. Petals none. Stamens 4, opposite 

 the sepals. Ovary globose-ovate, with 4 — 6 suspended ovules. 

 Fruit ovate, compressed. Seeds 1 — 2. Peduncles axillary, 

 2 — 3-flowered ; flowers small. 



C. pauciflo'ra, (T. <fe G.) An herbaceous plant, throwing up sev- 

 eral simple stems, sheathed at the base. Leaves oblong-ovate, cor- 

 date at the base, entire, 5 — 9-ribbed, crowded at the summit of the 

 stem. {Cisa7npelos paucijlora, Nntt. Anonytnous discoroides, Croom.) 

 — IX- Greenish white and purphsh. Middle Flor, 8 — 12 inches. 



Order VII.— CABOMBA'CEtE. Rich. {Water-shield Family.) 



Sepals 2 — 4, petaloid. Petals 2 — 4, alternate with the sepals. 

 Stamens 6 — 18 — 36, hypogynous ; anthers innate. Ovaries 

 2 — 18. Carpel 1 — 2-seeded, terminated by the permanent 

 style. Seeds orthotropous, globular, pendulous. Embryo mi- 

 nute ; albumen fleshy, with the embryo at its base. Planti 



