178 



DE CANDOLLE'S SYSTEM. 



Pancratium maritimum. 1. A flower cut open, and showing that there is a bifid 

 tooth, forming a coronet or cup, between each stamen. 2. A transverse section of the 

 ovary. 3. A section of the seed, showing the embryo. 



165. Dioscoreacea. Twining shrubs. Leaves alternate, 

 netted, with a distinct petiole. Flowers minute, dioecious. 

 Calyx and corolla superior. Stamens 6. Ovary 3-celled, 

 with 1- or 2-seeded cells ; style deeply trifid. Fruit leafy, 

 compressed, occasionally succulent. Embryo small, near the 

 hilum, in a large cavity of cartilaginous albumen. 



USES. The roots of many species of Dioscorea abound in 

 starch, and are the Yams used for food in tropical countries 

 instead of Potatoes. Nevertheless there is present a highly 

 deleterious principle, that, when concentrated, renders these 

 plants dangerous. The root of Tamus communis is very acrid ; 

 and even some Yams are too nauseous to be used for food, 

 even after careful cooking. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Tamus, Dioscorea. 



