40G 



HYPERICACEiE. 



[Hypogynous Exogens. 



Parnassia, whose fringed glands can scarcely be doubted to represent phalanges of ste- 

 rile stamens, and consequently, indicate a tendency to the production of an indefinite 

 number of polyadelphous stamens, which is one of the charactenst.es of Tutsans If in- 

 deed the seeds of Parnassia were really parietal, as they are described to be, that would 

 be a reason for removing it to some other place : but its exalbuminous seeds forb.d its 

 bein- stationed among Sundews, and it has nothing m common with Saxifrages except 

 its habit. I believe, however, that in Parnassia, as in Hypericum, the placentae are 

 truly axile and projected into the cavities of the ovary, which closes over them and ad- 

 heres to them ; and it is certain that the petals are in some species very unequal-sided, 

 viSe the anthers of others are tipped by the glands of Tutsans and the petals them- 

 selves, if they have not projecting glands possess immersed glands, m no inconsiderable 



^TuNans are very generally spread over the surface of the earth, inhabiting mountains 

 and Xysrmarslie s and 'dry plains, meadows and heaths The following is the 

 Z ribution of the species, according to Choisy :-Europe 9 • North Amenca 41 ; 

 Souti America, 21 ; West Indies, 1 ; Asia, 24 ; New Holland 5 ; Africa and the 

 neighbouring islands, 7 ; Azores and Canaries, 5 ; common to Europe and Asia, 4 ; 

 STTSe/Asia, and Africa, l.-Ch^y Prodr. 1821. Many have, however, 



to be added for Asia and South America. .,,,.■■» • *i • 



The juice of many is slightly purgative and febrifugal In the European specks tins 

 yellow juice is in small proportion to the essential oil, and the rest of the vegetable 

 mat ter and they have been used as tonics and astringents ; especially H. perforatum 

 r~,0 a»J Androsaanum officinale. Some of the American spec.es are possessed 

 of a more copious yellow juice, and more energetic properties ; that obtained from 

 Vismia guianensis, a Mexican and Surinam tree, is known in commerce and called 

 American Gummi Gutta. So also the Vismias micrantl.a and laccifera yield red sticks 

 of a drastic gum-resin analogous to gamboge.-Jtforftu.. Hypericum hircinum is 

 foetid A KarSe for sore throats is prepared in Brazil from the Hypericum connatum, 

 commonly halted Orelha de Gato. A decoction of the leaves ot another species 

 Hypericum laxiusculum, or Allecrim brabo, is reputed in the same country to be a 

 specific against the bites of serpents. The United States people prepare a stomachic 

 tTcture from Elodea virginica. Cratoxylon Hornschuchia is slightly astringent and 



diuretic. 



GENERA. 



I. IIyperick*:. — No 

 glands between the 

 stamens. 



Ascyrum, Linn. 



Isophpllum, Spach. 

 Hypericum, Linn. 



Eremotponu, Spach. 



Drosanthe, Spach. 

 Webbia, Spach. 

 Holosepalum. Spach. 

 Milleporum, Spach. 



Adenosepalum, Spach. 

 JJrosocarpium, Spach 



Coridium, Spach. 

 Orotsoph iiUtim. Spach . 



til am phi. Spach. 



Campylopus, Spach. 

 Psorophytum, spach. 

 Androseemum, Allion. 

 Eremanthe, Spach. 

 Campylotporus, Spach 

 Norysea, Spach. 

 Roicyna, Spach. 

 Myriandra. Spach. 

 Brathydiiim. Spach. 

 Brathys, Mut. 



Receveura, Fl. Flum. 



Sarothra, Linn. 

 Eucryphia, Cav. 

 Carpodontos, Lab. 



II. Elodea. — Glands 

 alternating with the 

 bundles of stamens. 



Parnassia. L. 

 Elodea, Adans. 



Martia, Spreng. 



Triadenia, spach. 

 Vismia, Velloz. 



Coapia, Piso. 

 Psorospermum, Spach. 

 Haronga, Thouars. 



Harongana, Lam. 



Arongana, Pers. 



Hcemocarpus , Norouh. 

 Elisea, Cambcss. 



Cttssonia, Commers. 



Lanigerostemma, Chpl. 

 Ancistrolobus, Spach. 

 Tridesmis, Spach. 

 Cratoxylon, Blum. 



Hornschuchia, Blum. 



Numbers. Gen. 13. Sp. 276. 



Saxifragacca. 

 Position.— Clusiaceae.— Hypericaceje.— Reaumuriacea?. 



ADDITIONAL GENERA. 



Thymopsis. Javb. 1 t Hvpericum . 

 Adenotnas, Jaw. I Jr 



Acrosanthus, PrtsL = Vismia. 



