138 



DE CANDOLLE'S SYSTEM. 



USES. The ripe heads of Dipsacus fullonum, dried, are 

 formed of hard stiff spines, and are employed by fullers, in 

 dressing cloth, under the name of teasels. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Scabiosa, Dipsacus, Knautia. 



88. Valerianacete. Herbs. Leaves opposite, without 

 stipules. Flowers corymbose, panicled, or in heads. Calyx 

 superior, membranous, or resembling pappus. Corolla tubular, 

 regular or irregular, sometimes calcarate. Stamens 1 to 5. 

 Ovary with 1 perfect cell, and 2 other abortive ones ; ovule 

 pendulous ; stigmas 1 to 3. Fruit dry. Embryo destitute 

 of albumen. 



USES. Common Valerian, and several others, have power- 

 fully aromatic, antispasmodic, febrifugal roots. The genus Va- 

 lerianella consists of annual herbs, whose leaves are used as 

 salad, under the name of Lamb's lettuce. The Spikenard of 

 the ancients was Nardostachys Jatamansi. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Valerianella, Centranthus, Valeriana. 



Valeriana Celtica. 1 An entire flower magnified. 2. The ovary and young 

 calyx. 3. The fruit, with the pappose full-grown calyx. 4. A vertical section of a 

 npe fruit and seed. 



89. Asteracea or Composite. Shrubs, or herbs, ex- 

 tremely variable in appearance. Flowers in heads, surround- 

 ed by an involucrum, and seated on a receptacle, from which 

 palese often spring. Calyx obsolete ; a pappus (328). Co- 



