412 ILLUSTRATIONS OK THE NATURAL ORDLKS. 



extractive matter. Polygala Senega (Seneca Snakeroot) is the 

 most important medicinal plant of the family. Other species are 

 employed medicinally in Brazil, Peru, Nepaul, &c. ; where, like 

 our own, they are reputed antidotes to the bites of venomous 

 reptiles. 



803. Ol'd. KranieriacCiE (Rhatany Family) consists of the gertus 

 Krameriu only, which has ordinarily been annexed to the Polyga- 

 lacese ; but the position of the parts of the flower is more like that 

 of the Leguminosse, having the odd sepal inferior, a simple unilocu- 

 lar pistil, and an exalbuminous seed. In fact it is technically distin- 

 guishable from the latter chiefly by the hypogynous stamens and the 

 want of stipules. The roots contain a red coloring matter, and are 

 astringent without bitterness. Rhatany-root, used to adulterate port- 

 wine, and as an ingredient in tooth-powders, &c, is the produce of 

 K. triandra of Peru. That of our own Southern species possesses 

 the same properties. 



804. Old. LcgliminosfE (Pulse Family). Herbs, shrubs, or trees, 

 with alternate and usually compound leaves, furnished with stipules. 



FIG 703. A flowering branch of Lathyrus palustris, var. myrtifolius. 707. The corolla 

 displayed : a, the vexillum or standard ; 6 the aim or wings ; c, the two petals of the carina 

 or keel 798 The keel-petals in their natural situation. 790. The stamens and pistil, en- 

 larged j the sheath of filaments partly turned back. 



