698 



VALERIANACE.E. 



[Epigtnous Exogens. 



and sometimes 2 other abortive ones ; ovule solitary, pendulous ; style simple ; stigmas 

 from 1 to 3. Fruit dry, indehiscent, with 1 fertile cell and 2 empty ones. Seed 



solitary, pendulous ; embryo 

 straight, destitute of albumen ; 

 radicle superior. 



Yalerianworts are principally 

 distinguished from Teazelworts 

 by their want of albumen, and 

 usually by the absence of an 

 involueel to each floret. They 

 have also but little tendency to 

 form a capitate inflorescence ; 

 and a couple of additional 

 Fig. CCCCLXX. empty cells, frequently observ- 



able in their ovary, indicates a 

 higher degree of composition in the central apparatus. M. Bunge has observed 

 manifest traces of ovules in the two abortive cells of Patrinia ; the same author 

 considers Yalerianworts connected with Caprifoils on the one hand by Triplostegia, 

 and on the other by Linnaea. — Ann. Sc. ser. 2. v. 6. 60. 



They are natives of most temperate climates ; sometimes at considerable elevations. 

 They are abundant in the north of India, Europe, and South America, but uncommon 

 in Africa and North America. 



The roots of Valeriana officinalis, Phu, and celtica, are tonic, bitter, aromatic, anti- 

 spasmodic, and vermifugal ; they are even said to be febrifugal. They are strong- 

 smelling, especially in V. Dioscoridis, which, according to Sibthorp, is the real Phu of 

 Dioscorides, act as powerful stimulants, and produce a specific influence over the 

 cerebro-spinal system, bringing on, as is well known, a kind of intoxication in cats, and 

 in large doses occasioning in man scintillations, agitation, and even convulsions. The 

 Russians regard the Valeriana sitchensis, a native of North- West America, as the most 

 energetic of all the species. The scent of these roots is not agreeable to a European ; 

 and yet some are highly esteemed as perfumes. Eastern nations procure from the 

 mountains of Austria the Valeriana celtica and Saliunca to aromatrse their baths. 

 Their roots are grubbed up with danger and difficulty by the peasants of Styria and 

 Carinthia, from rocks on the borders of eternal snow, are tied in bundles and sold at a 

 very low price to merchants, who send them by way of Trieste to Turkey and Egypt, 

 where they are vended at a great profit, and passed onwards to the nations of India 

 and Ethiopia. — Endl. The Nardostaehys Jatamansi, or true Spikenard of the ancients, 

 is valued in India, not only for its scent, but also as a remedy in hysteria and 

 epilepsy. The young leaves of the species of Valerianella are eaten as salad, under 

 the French name of Mache, or the English one of Lamb's Lettuce. Red Valerian 

 is also eaten in the same way in Sicily. Astrephias are used as vulneraries in 

 Peru. See BoyU, p. "242, for an elaborate dissertation upon the Nard of the ancients. 



GENERA. 



Patrinia. Juss. 



Gytonanthttf, Rafin. 



Fedia. Adans. 

 Xardostachys. DC. 

 Dufresnea, DC. 

 Yalerianei'.n, Month. 



P»!>/premum, Adans. 



OdonloC'iryxi. Neck. 

 Astrephia. DC. 



Hemetotria, Rafin. 



(Higaoce, WiUd. 

 Fedia, ilonch. 



Mitrophora, Neck. 

 Plectritis, DC. 

 iCentranthus. DC. 



Kentraiithu.t. Neck. 

 Valeriana. Neck. 

 I Phyllactit, Pers 



ArcHastrum, DC. 



Phu, I>r. 



Betckea, DC. 



Triplostegia, ITail. 



: Axia. Lour. 



, Porteria, Hook. 



Numbers. Gen. 12. Sp. 185. 



CaptifoUacea. 



Position. — Asteracese. — Valf.rianace.e. — Dipsacacea?. 



Fig. CCCCLXX.— Valeriana celtica. 1. entire flower magnified; 2. the ovary and young calyx; 

 3. the fruit, with the pappose full-grown calyx ; 4. a vertical section of fruit and seed 



