386 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



more or less in thickness with age. However, the central axis corresponds 

 essentially to that of the Palms ; only a peculiar rind or false bark exists, 

 capable of increase by layers, somewhat in the same way as the liber of 

 Dicotyledons. 



Distribution. A large Order, the members of which are very variously 

 and widely distributed ; the bulbous kinds common in temperate climates, 

 the fibrous-rooted with them and in warmer localities : the succulent- 

 leaved Aloes chiefly S.-Af rican ; the arborescent forms mostly subtropical. 



Qualities and Uses. Many of the Liliaceee have active properties, and 

 the juices, the fibres, or the fruits afford products of value in the arts. 

 The juice of the succulent-leaved Aloes dries into a kind of resin, medi- 

 cinal Aloes, one of the most valuable of purgatives; the species from 

 which it is usually obtained are Aloe spicata, mdgaris, socotrina, &e. The 

 bulb of Urginea maritima is the Medicinal Squill, valuable as an expec- 

 torant and diuretic, but emetic and purgative in large doses. Pancratium 

 (often cultivated for its flowers) has similar properties. The leaves and 

 roots of Erythronium (Dog's-tooth), of the Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orien- 

 taliSj Insitanicus, Scilla nutans), and the genera Muscari, Ornithogalum, 

 Gagea, all have emetic qualities ; the tuberous fibrous roots of Asparagus 

 and of the Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) are said to be purgative : 

 those of Solomon's Seal (Convallaria Polygonatuni) are acrid. The bulbs 

 of the Crown-imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) and other species, and of Glo- 

 riosa superba, are said to be very poisonous. The bulbs of the genus Allium 

 have milder properties, and at the same time possess a pungent quality, on 

 account of whicn they are extensively grown for food, tne large and milder 

 cultivated kinds being esculent vegetables ; the smaller and more pungent 

 are valued for imparting flavour. Allium Cepa is the Onion; A. Porrum, the 

 Leek ; A. sativum, Garlic ; A. Schomoprasum, the Chive ; A. ascalonicum, 

 the Shallot ; A. Scorodoprasum, the Rocambole : " Spanish Onions," coming 

 from Spain, Portugal, and Egypt, are mild varieties of the common Onion, 

 the bulb growing to a larger size, and forming less of the pungent secretion. 

 The bulbs of I/Mum pomponium constitute an important article of food in 

 Kamtschatka ; the tubers of Camassia esculenta are eaten by the North - 

 American Indians. The woody roots of Draccena terminalis (Cordyline Ti) 

 are eaten, roasted, by the Sandwich-Islanders ; sugar and fermented liquor 

 are likewise prepared from its juice ; its leaves furnish fodder for cattle, as 

 do those of the Grass-tree (Xanthorrhcea} in Australia ; the bases of the 

 young leaves and the heart of the buds of the latter are sometimes used as 

 esculent vegetables. The table Asparagus consists of the very young 

 annual shoots (turiones) of Asparagus officinalis, rendered succulent by 

 cultivation. Astringent resins are obtained from some kinds : Dracana 

 Draco, the Dragon-tree of Teneriffe, yields the true Dragon's Blood, for- 

 merly much used in medicine, but "now seldom met with, the resin of 

 Pterocarpus (Leguminosse) being substituted. Xartthorrhcca arborea yields 

 Botany-Bay Gum, which is yellow, pungent, and smells like Benzoin when 

 burnt. Phormium tenax is the New-Zealand Flax plant ; the fibre of the 

 leaves is very tenacious, as is that of various species of Sanseviera, known 

 as African Hemp and Bowstring Hemp in Africa and the East Indies. 

 Active properties and uses are attributed to many other less-known species. 

 A great number of Liliacefe, hardy and tender, ornament our gardens 

 and stoves, as will be recognized from the list given above. Polianthes 



