COKOLLIFLORjE. 287 



to Loganiaceae, being chiefly distinguished by its inferior ovary; the Loga- 

 niaceae thus connect it with Gentianaceaa and the allied Gorollifloral Orders. 

 The fruits of the Galice, and of some of the Coffees, nearly relate them 

 to the Uinbelliferie ; from which, however, they may be at once known 

 by the gamopetalous corolla. Opercularia, an aberrant genus with a 1- 

 celled, 1-seeded ovary, connects the Order with Dipsacese ; and the inflo- 

 rescence of some kinds, as Cephalanthus, Richardsonia, &c., approaches the 

 condition of the capitula of that Order and of Compositae ; while in 

 Argyrophyllum the stamens are syngenesious. 



Distribution. This is one of the largest Orders. The Stidlatce or Galiefe* 

 belong to the cool parts of the Northern hemisphere and the mountains 

 of the Southern. The Coffete and Cinchonece are chiefly natives of warm 

 climates, most of them tropical. 



Qualities and Uses. The Rubiaceae form a very extensive group, and 

 include plants with a considerable diversity of properties. Some are 

 emetic and purgative ; others febrifuge and tonic ; others stimulant and 

 restorative ; some are astringent ; a few have edible fruits ; some yield 

 valuable dye-stuffs ; and fragrant or showy flowers abound in the Order. 

 Among the powerfully emetic plants are the Ipecacuan, the officinal sub- 

 stance being the creeping rhizome of Cephaelis Ipecacuanha. Psychotria 

 emetica furnishes a spurious kind called black or streaked Ipecacuan. 

 Richardsonia scabra and emetica yield white false Ipecacuan. Chiococca 

 densifolia (Cahinca root) and C. anguifaga have similar properties, which 

 are shared by the genera Spermacoce, Manettia, &c. Most of the above 

 plants belong to Brazil. The two species of Chiococca above named are 

 regarded as specifics against snake-bites ; their emetic and purgative 

 action is described as excessively powerful. Some species of Cephaelis 

 and Psychotria are still more active, and are used as poisons for rats and 

 mice iii Brazil. Coffee consists of the seeds of Coffea arabica, two of 

 which are produced in a succulent berry. It is believed to be a native of 

 Abyssinia, perhaps also of Arabia, but is now widely diffused in cultiva- 

 tion in the East and West Indies and Brazil. Liberian Coffee is a native 

 of Western Africa. The fruits of Galium are said to bear some resem- 

 blance to Coffee when roasted. 



Cinchona, Peruvian or Jesuits' bark, is derived from several trees 

 natives of the slopes of the Andes, at an elevation of about 7000-8000 feet, 

 and many of which are now cultivated in India. The researches of Wed- 

 dell, Howard, and others have determined the source of most of the kinds. 

 Cinchona Calisaya gives Yellow or Calisaya bark ; C. succirubra, Red bark ; 

 C. nitidaandmicrantha, Grey or Huanaco bark; C. Condaminea (var. vera\ 

 Crown or Loxa bark. The bark of various species of Exostemma is 

 known as false Cinchona. Species of Guettarda, Pinckmya, Rondeletia, 

 Coutarea, &c. have similar properties. The extract of the leaves of 

 Uncaria Gambir is a powerful astringent, known as Gambeer among 

 the Malays, and supposed to furnish part of the Catechu of commerce. 



Among the fruits may be mentioned those of Genipa (Brazil and Mada- 

 gascar), Sarcocephalus esculentus, the Sierra Leone Peach, &c. The berries 

 of some Coprosmce are eaten in Australia, and are called Native Currants. 

 Of the dyes, Madder, the roots of Rubia tinctorum (Europe), R. cor- 

 difolia, Munjeeth (Bengal), R. Relboun (China), and R. augustissima are 

 the most important Oldenlandia umbellata, used instead of Madder in 



