THALAMIFLOlLa:. 241 



Boronia, Smith ; Eriostemon, Smith ; Correct, Smith ; Diosma, L. ; Ba- 

 rosma, Willd. ; Dictamnus, L. ; Ruta, Tournef. 



Affinities, &c. This large Order is sometimes divided into two, Rutaceas 

 and Diosmeie, the latter including the greater part of the genera ; but the 

 distinctions seem insufficient the Boroniece, which have the separable 

 endocarp supposed to be characteristic of Diosmece, having perispermic 

 seeds like Rutece. Bentham and Hooker make the order a very compre- 

 hensive one by including the following as tribes : 1. Cusparieae/2. Ruteae, 

 3. Diosmeae, 4. Boronieae, 5. Xanthoxyleae, 6. Toddalieae, 7. Aurantieae 

 (see ante, p. 235). Most of these are separately treated in the present work, 

 as being more readily understood bv beginners. The Order is connected 

 with Zygophyllaceae by Peyanum ; it is related also to Xanthoxylaceae, 

 which are perhaps merely polygamous Rutaceae. There is also an affinity 

 with Aurantiaceas (which differ, however, in the fruit), and with Ana- 

 cardiaceae. Correct, with its monopetalous corolla, seems to approach 

 Ericaceae, to which the Boroniece have much resemblance in habit. From 

 Simarubaceae and Terebinthaceae Rutals differ in their glandular leaves 

 and in the nature of the fruit. 



Distribution. Ruta and its allies are found chiefly in Europe and 

 North Asia; Diosma, Barosma, &c, at the Cape of Good Hope ; Boronia, 

 Eriostemon, &c. in Australia ; and Galipea, Esenbeckia, and their related 

 genera in Equinoctial America. 



Qualities and Uses. Generally remarkable for a strong aromatic or foetid 

 odour, and possessing antispasmodic and tonic properties. Angostura 

 bavk is derived from Galipea officinalis, and apparently from G. Cmparia 

 (Bonplandia trifoliata) ; Melambo bark probably from some allied plant. 

 The bark of Escribe ckia fcbrifuga is used in place of Cinchona in Brazil; 

 and that of Ticorea febrifuya is another of the " Quinas" of Brazil. The 

 Bucku plants of South Africa are species of Barosma, Diosma, and their 

 allies; their foliage, which is extremely glandular, has a very strong 

 odour ; and I), crenata, serratifolia, and others are used as antispasmodic 

 and diuretic agents. The leaves and unripe fruits of Rue (Ruta graveo- 

 lens) are antispasmodic, and are also said to be emmenagogue and anthel- 

 ruintic : R. montana is acrid ; and its juice is described as vesicating the 

 skin, and even producing erysipelas and ulceration. The leaves of Correct 

 alba aud other species are used by the settlers in Australia for Tea. Many of 

 the Rutaceae are favourite greenhouse plants, such as Boronia, Eriostemon, 

 c. Dictamnus Fraxinella, a South-European plant, common in our gar- 

 dens, is very glandular, and it is said that the volatile oil renders the atmo- 

 sphere about the plant inflammable in very hot weather. This account 

 requires confirmation. These glandular plants are of course very inflam- 

 mable in themselves. The root of Toddalia aculeata is used in India as 

 an aromatic. 



XANTHOXYLACE^E are trees or shrubs with alternate or opposite, 

 exstipulate, simple or compound, dotted leaves, and flowers resembling 

 those of Rutaceae in almost every respect, except that they are constantly 

 polygamous, and sometimes have succulent fruit; seeds perispermic.-- 

 Illustrative Genera : Xanthoxylon, Kunth ; Ptelea, L. 



Affinities, &c. The Xanthoxylacese are united by some authors with tho 

 Rutaceae ; their more remote relations are with Aurantiaceae and Ana- 



