634 CUSCUTACEvE. [Perigynous Exogens. 



Bindweeds, but he admits that under the name of Cuscuta are included species with a 

 very variable structure, and which might constitute genera ; and he adds that they might 

 have a claim to be regarded as a peculiar Order if as many as 200 species were known, 



instead of 50. . „ , , . . ... .» 



These parasites are found in the temperate parts of both hemispheres, twining round 

 the branches of plants and sometimes producing great destruction among crops, iney 

 do not appear to occur much in the tropics, where their place is perhaps taken by 

 Cassyths. Mr. Griffith speaks of a gigantic species in Afghanistan, which even preys 

 upon itself ; one of its masses half covered a Willow tree 20 or 30 feet high. 



Their herbage is acrid, and was formerly used as a purgative. Cuscuta racemosa and 

 another or two, called Sipo de Chumbo, are articles of Brazilian pharmacy. The juice 

 of the fresh plant is prescribed in sub-inflammatory complaints, hoarseness, and spitting 

 of blood. The powder of the dried plant is strewed on fresh wounds, the healing ot wlncli 

 it is said much to promote. 



GENERA. 



Cuscuta, Tourn. 



Orammica, Lour. 

 Lepidanche, Engelm. 



Numbers. Gen. 2 ? Sp. 50. 



Position. Cuscutace>e. — Convolvulacese. 



CassythacecB. 



ADDITIONAL GENERA. 



Epilinella, Pfeiffer, in Ann. Sc., 3 Ser., V. S4. 

 Engelmarmia, do. 



