564 



ROSACEA. 



[Perigynocs Exogens. 



ing many of the more important characters of Crowfoots, and in some measure their 

 habits. It is, however, known by its perigynous stamens and exalbuminous seeds, 

 whose embryo, though small, is amygdaloid". It differs from Appleworts in its ovary 

 being superior, and from Almondworts in that organ being single and changing into a 

 drupe. Saxifrages, which stand very near Roseworts, are readily known by their 

 albuminous seeds, definite stamens, and partially combined, somewhat valvate carpel- 

 lary leaves. Chrysobalans have a single carpel, but their style originates from the base, 

 not the apex of the ovary. Sanguisorbs are apetalous, with the tube of the calyx 

 hardened and changed into a false pericarp. That Roseworts have some intimate 

 relationship with Myrtleblooms is proved by Appleworts ; but a new evidence of this 

 fact has lately been obtained in the form of Roses discovered in China by Mr. Fortune, 

 which have faintly but distinctly transparent dots in the leaves. 



Natives chiefly of the temperate or cold climates of the northern hemisphere ; a very 

 few are found on high land within the tropics, and an inconsiderable number in the 

 southern hemisphere. Only one species occurs in the West Indies, viz Rubus jamai- 

 censis ; several are natives of high land in the East Indies, ^ 

 within the tropics, especially Potentillas and Rubi ; the South 

 American species chiefly consist of a few kinds of Rubus, and 

 plants belonging to the section QuillaitB which are all South 

 American. Neuradete are found in the north of Africa and at 

 the Cape of Good Hope, perhaps also in Mexico. An elaborate 

 aecount of the geographical distribution of these plants has been 

 given in the Lirmcea, vol. xvii. p. 549, by Mr. Frankenheim. 



The fruits of many species of Fragaria (Strawberry) and 

 Rubus (Raspberry and Blackberry) are valuable articles of the 

 dessert. No Roseworts are unwholesome ; they are chiefly 

 remarkable for the presence of an astringent principle, which 

 has caused some of them to be reckoned febrifuges. The root 

 of Tormentilla is used for tanning in the Feroe Isles. Potentilla 

 anserina has been employed in the same manner, and P. reptans 

 as a febrifuge. Geum urbanum and rivale, Comarum palustre 

 and Sieversia montana have been compared, for efficacy, to 

 Cinchona. The leaves of Rubus arcticus and Rosa rubiginosa have been employed as 

 substitutes for Tea. The root of Spiraea filipendula and Ulmaria has been used as a 

 tonic. Agrimonia Eupatoria yields a decoction useful as a gargle, and has some celebrity 

 as a vermifuge. Indian Chocolate-root, which is probably Geum rivale, is much em- 

 ployed in the United States in diseases of the bladder. The root of Rubus villosus is 

 a popular astringent medicine in North America. Two or three tea-spoonfuls of the 

 decoction, administered three or four times a day, has been found useful in cholera 

 infantum. Mixed, however, with this astringency, is the presence of an emetic quality. 

 The roots of Gillenia trifoliate and stipulacea are emetic, and perhaps tonic. They are 

 used in the United States as Ipecacuanha. One of the most powerful anthelmintics in 

 the world belongs to this family. It is an Abyssinian plant, called Cusso, or Cabotz, 

 and known to Botanists by the name of Brayera anthelmintica. Upon the authority of 

 Brayer, after whom it is named, two or three doses of the infusion are sufficient to cure 

 the most obstinate case of taenia. The various species of Rosa form some of the 

 greatest beauties of the garden. The fruit of R, canina and other allied species is 

 astringent, and employed in medicine against chronic diarrhoea and other maladies. 

 The petals of R. moschata and damascena yield a highly fragrant essential oil, called 

 Attar of Roses ; those of R. gallica are astringent when dried with rapidity, and are 

 sometimes found useful in cases of debility, such as leucorrhoea, diarrhoea, &c. The 

 Quillaife are remarkable for their saponaceous secretions. Quillaia saponaria yields 

 one of the barks called Quillai, used as a substitute for soap. " Two ounces of the bark 

 are sufficient to wash a dress ; it is also said to remove all kinds of spots and stains, 

 and to impart a remarkable lustre to wool." It contains a substance which excites 

 violent sneezing, and is closely allied to saponine.— Cftem. Gaz. 1844. 216. According to 

 Martius the Quillaia brasiliensis has the same property. 



GENERA. 



I. Kosid.b. — Calyx 



tube fleshy, covering 

 over the acha?nia. 



Rosa, Tournef. 

 i.owea, Li mil. 



Hulthemia, Duniort. 



Rhodopsis, Ledeb. 



II. POTENTIM.TD.E. — 



Calyx tube herbaceous. 

 Fruit a heap of acbse- 

 nia. 



Dalibarda, JAttn. 

 Kubus, Linn. 

 ? Cyladis, Raf. 



Fragaria, Linn, 

 Dnchesnea, smith. 



Comarum, Linn. 



l'otcntilla. Linn. 

 Qftinquefolwm, Tourn, 

 PentaphyUoides, Tour. 

 Tormentilla, Tourn. 



Argentina, Blackw. 



Bootia, Higel. 



I'richolhalamtis.l. ehm. 

 Horkelia, Cham, el Schl. 

 Chaniarhodos, Bung. 

 Dryadanthe, Endl. 

 Sibbaldia, Linn. 



Fig. CC'CLXXXT. — Perpendicular section of a Rose-flower. 



