162 DE CANDOLLE'S SYSTEM. 



half-coloured, valvate. Stamens 4-5, inserted in the base of 

 the calyx. Ovary 1-celled. Ovules 1-4, attached to a cen- 

 tral placenta. Style single. Fruit 1-seeded, indehiscent. 

 Embryo in the axis of albumen. 



USES. The wood is sometimes fragrant ; Sandal wood is 

 obtained from several species of Santalum. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Thesium, Nyssa, Santalum. 



140. AristolocMacea. Herbaceous plants or shrubs. 

 Leaves alternate, often with leafy stipules. Wood without 

 concentric zones. Flowers brown, or some dull colour, herm- 

 aphrodite. Calyx superior, valvate. Stamens epigynous. 

 Ovary inferior, 3- or 6-celled ; style simple ; stigmas radiat- 

 ing. Fruit 3- or 6-celled, many-seeded. Seeds with a minute 

 embryo in the base of fleshy albumen. 



USES. Many are tonic and stimulating. Aristolochia ser- 

 pentaria and fragrantissima are employed as powerful aro- 

 matics; others, as A. Clematitis, indica, &c. are emmena- 

 gogues. The Asarums seem to have similar qualities, but 

 more feeble; A. Canadense is called Wild Ginger in North 

 America. In consequence of their stimulating properties some 

 are employed as alexipharmics ; the Guaco of the Oronoko, 

 said to be a specific against the bite of snakes, is a species of 

 Aristolochia. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Aristolochia, Asarum. 



141. Empetracea. Small acrid shrubs with heath-like 

 evergreen leaves and minute flowers, which are unisexual. 

 Sepals : hypogynous imbricated scales. Stamens equal in num- 

 ber to the inner sepals, and alternate with them. Ovary 3- 

 6- or 9-celled ; ovules solitary, ascending ; stigma radiating. 

 Fruit fleshy, 3- 6- or 9-celled ; the coating of the cells bony ; 

 embryo in the axis of fleshy watery albumen. 



USES. Unknown. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Empetrum, Ceratiola. 



l4>2.Euphor1)iacea:. Trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants, 

 often abounding in acrid milk. Leaves opposite or alternate, 

 usually with stipules. Flowers sometimes enclosed within 



