INCOMPLETE. 331 



Distribution. A large Order, the species of which are most abundant 

 within the tropics, in dry, barren situations. 



Qualities and Uses. C4enera]ly with somewhat mucilaginous juice, 

 seldom with active properties. The species of Amarantus, such as A. cau- 

 datws, Love-lies-bleeding, and A. hypochondriacus, Prince 's-Feathers, are 

 well known in gardens for their bright-coloured and persistent blossoms 

 as are also the more tender Globe Amaranthus (Gomphrena) and the 

 Cock's-comb (Celosia cristata), the latter remarkable for its fasciated 

 flowering-stem. 



CHENOPODIACE^E. THE SPINACH OBDEE. 

 Coh. Chenopodiales, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Chiefly herbs, of weedy aspect," more or less succu- 

 lent ; leaves mostly alternate ; without stipules or scarious bracts ; 

 flowers perfect, polygamous or diclinous, minute, greenish, the 

 free perianth imbricated in the bud ; stamens as many as the 

 perianth-lobes, or rarely fewer, and inserted in front of them or on 

 their bases ; ovary 1-celled, becoming a 1-seeded thin utricle or an 

 actinium ; embryo coiled into a ring (around the perisperm when 

 present) or spiral. Illustrative Genera : Salicornia, Tournef. : 

 Atriplex, L. ; Blitum, L. : Beta, Tournef. ; Chenopodium, L. ; Sal- 

 sola, L. 



Affinities, &c. Closely related to Amarantaceae, but differing in habit and 

 in the sum of the characters. From the Phytolaccacese they differ in 

 the simple ovary and the stamens equal in number and opposite to the 

 segments of the perianth ; from Scleranthece they are separated by the 

 simple ovary, the usually alternate leaves, and the distinctly hypogynous 

 condition of the stamens : from the Paronychiece particularly by the ab- 

 sence of stipules ; through the Paronychiaceae they are nearly related to 

 Caryophyllacese. The order is divided into two groups according as the 

 embryo is annular or spirally coiled. 



Distribution. A large Order, generally diffused in waste places or in 

 salt marshes ; most abundant outside the tropics. 



Qualities and Uses. Generally bland and innocuous, the foliage often 

 rendering them valuable as pot herbs, and their roots furnishing food for 

 cattle ; sometimes with anthelmintic and antispasmodic properties. The 

 maritime kinds were formerly of great value from the quantity of soda 

 obtained from their ashes. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Orach (Atriplex 

 hortensis), and English Mercury ( Chenopodium Bonus Henricus) belong to 

 this Order ; also the Beet and Mangold Wurtzel (Beta mdyaris and Cycla). 

 From the juice of the Beet, sugar is extracted in considerable quantities. 

 Chenopodium anthelminticum yields an essential oil, used as an anthelmintic 

 under the name of Worm-see'd Oil ; C. ambrosioides and Botrys also have 

 an aromatic, antispasmodic essential oil; Chenopodium Quinoa forms tubers 

 like potatoes, which are eaten in Peru. Salsola Soda^ Salicornia herbacea, 

 and other species (Glass-wort), with species of Atriplex, Schoberia, &c., 



