236 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



peculiar aroma ; that of C. Biyaradia is also bitter. The rind of all is 

 fragrant, from the presence of imbedded glands containing- essential oil of 

 aromatic and bitter character ; the flowers partake of the aromatic quality. 

 The oil of Neroli is obtained from the flower of C. Biyaradia ; but the oil 

 of the rind is also used for making Orange-flower water. Oil of Berga- 

 mot is from the flower and rind of the fruit of C. Beryarnia ; liuile de Ce- 

 drat from C. medica ; the essential oil of the Lemon-rind is also largely 

 used. The rinds are also valued for their bitter and aromatic properties 

 when dried or preserved with sugar. The dry rinds of Orange, Lemon, 

 &c. are used as stomachics in medicine, in infusions and tinctures; and 

 are also employed in the preparation of liqueurs and cordials, such as 

 Curacoa &c. ; the fruit, rind, and pulp, when preserved with sugar, form 

 " marmalade," the best being made from the Seville Orange. The acidity 

 of the Lime and Lemon depends chiefly on the presence of citric acid, and 

 renders them very valuable as antiscorbutic agents. sEyle Marmelos, the 

 Bael-fruit, sometimes used in cases of dysentery, has a delicious fruit, 

 which, however, is laxative ; the rind is used as a vermifuge. Cookia 

 punctata yields the Wampee, highly valued in China and the East-In- 

 dian Archipelago ; and the fruits of other plants of the Order are eaten. 

 The wood of all the trees is hard and compact; the foliage shares the 

 fragrant character of the fruits, containing abundance of glands filled 

 with aromatic, bitter essential oils. The Orange, Lemon, and their 

 varieties are largely cultivated in the South of Europe in the open air ; 

 and in our conservatories they are everywhere prized, on account of their 

 striking appearance when in fruit and the delicious perfume of the flowers. 

 Orange- and Lemon-trees are wonderfully prolific of fruit ; and the plants 

 retain their vitality with great obstinacy when taken from the ground and 

 transported to a distance, and when they are multiplied by cuttings. 



LINAGES. THE FLAX ORDER. 



Series Disciflorae ; Coh. Geraniales, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Herbs, or sometimes shrubs, without stipules ; with re- 

 gular symmetrical hermaphrodite flowers, 4-5-merous throughout ; calyx 

 imbricated ; petals convolute in aestivation ; stamens usually 5, coherent 

 at the base, often with intervening sterile stamens ; ovary compound, of 

 about as many carpels as there are sepals ; styles distinct ; capsule many- 

 celled, each cell divided more or less perfectly into two by a false septum 

 from the dorsal suture, each compartment with one seed, having a straight 

 oily embryo and with, or rarely without, perisperm. Illustrative Genera : 

 Litmm, L. ; Radiola, Dillen. 



Affinities, &c. Most nearly related to Oxalidaceae, but likewise con- 

 nected with Caryophyllacete, Malvaceae, and Geraniaceae by the general 

 structure of the flowers, the coherent stamens, &c. ; but the simple entire 

 leaves and the peculiar structure of the capsules are very distinctive marks. 

 From Malpighiaceae they differ in their giandless calyx. 



Distribution. A small Order, generally diffused, but most abundantly 

 so in Europe and North Africa. 



Qualities and Uses. Linum cdtharticum, a native weed, has active 

 purgative properties ; but the most important plant of the Order is L. 

 iisitatisswmm, the liber-fibres of which constitute Flax, while the seeds, 



