II. DILLENIACE^l. 



189 



Helleborus niger, fcetichis, viridis, and orientalis contain a bitter substance, united to a resinous principle, 

 which is a drastic purgative, and poisonous in large doses. The Aconites are narcotic acrid herbs, con- 

 taining an alkaloid called aconitine, combined with a peculiar acid, and resinous or volatile principles ; the 

 leaves and seeds ofAconitum Napellus and A. paniculatum&re of use in small doses for exciting the glandular 

 and lymphatic systems, but are very poisonous in large doses. A.ferox, 1 a native of Nepal, is reputed to 

 be the most poisonous of all. Acttea spicata was formerly given internally for asthma and scrofula, and 

 externally for skin complaints. Cimicifuga serpentaria, of a nauseous smell and bitter taste, is in North 

 America reputed to be a specific against the bite of the rattlesnake. C. foetida, a widely diffused plant 

 of cool northern regions, was formerly used in dropsy as a purgative : its name is derived from its supposed 

 property of driving away bugs. The root and wood of Xanthorhiza apiifolia, a North American undershrub, 

 contain a bitter resin and yellow dye, and are renowned as tonics. Pceonia officinalis was formerly famous 

 in sorcery 5 its fresh seeds were used as emetics in epilepsy; and in some countries, necklaces made of 

 them are still used, to ward oft' convulsions from children. The Siberian P. anomala has a bitter root 

 without acridity, smelling of violets, which is very useful in intermittent fevers. 



II. DILLENIACEJE. 



, Salisbury. DILLENIACE^E, D.C.) 



Candollea cuneiformis. 



Candollea. Diagram. 



Candollea. 

 Pistil (mag.). 



Candollea. Group 

 of stamens (mag.). 



Dillenia. 

 Embryo (mag.). 



Candollea. 



Ovary cut 



transversely (mag.). 



Candollea. 



Ovule with 



its arilla (mag.). 



(?) Candollea. 



Seed, with jagged 



arilla (mag.). 



(?) Candotlea. 



Seed cut vertically 



(mag.). 



Candollea. 

 Part of pistil and 

 androecium (mag.). 



SEPALS usually 5, imbricate, persistent. PETALS usually 5, hypoyynous, imbricate, 

 deciduous. STAMENS oo, hypogynous. OVARIES usually distinct, \-celled, 1-several- 



1 Referred to a var. of A. Napellus by Hooker fil. and Thomson (FJ. Ind. i. 57). 



