V. SCHIZANDRE^E. 195 



flowers, which, however, become foetid as they wither ; all parts of the tree are aromatic, bitter, and acrid ; 

 an infusion of its powdered bark is a powerful emmenagogue ; its young buds are administered in urethritis, 

 and its powdered leaves are recommended for gout, and are applied as a lotion in rheumatic and arthritic 

 pains ; lastly, its seeds, which contain a very acrid substance, are rubbed, with ginger and galenga, over 

 the region of the heart, to cure infantile infer mittents. The bark of Talauma (Aromadendron) elegans is a 

 renowned stomachic in Java ; its slightly bitter leaves are antispasmodic and antihysteric. Of the Asiatic 

 deciduous-leaved species, Magnolia Yulan has been cultivated from time immemorial in China, and its 

 very bitter seeds used as a febrifuge ; and the Himalayan M. Campbellit, a lofty tree with large red flowers, 

 is one of the most splendid plants hitherto discovered. The principal American species are M. grandiflora, 

 auriculata, and macrophylla, of which the bitter and slightly aromatic bark is a tonic. The fruit and seeds of 

 M. glauca and acuminatn are stimulants. The bitter, pleasantly aromatic bark of the Tulip-tree (Zm'o- 

 dendron tulipifera\ which attains a height of 100 feet in North America, is regarded as an excellent sub- 

 stitute for cascarilla and quinine. 



In Uliciece, which, from their punctate pellucid leaves and 1-seriate whorled carpels, rather form a 

 distinct order than a tribe of Magnoliaceee, the aroma of the volatile oil and resin supersedes the bitterness, 

 and gives them stimulating virtues ; as in Drimys Winteri of Antarctic America, D. Granatensis of New 

 Granada, D, axillaris of New Zealand, the Tasmannias of Australia, and especially the ' Badiane ' (Illicium 

 anisatwri), a Chinese shrub, the fruit of which, called Star Aniseed from its smell and whorled carpels, is a 

 powerful stimulant, which enters into the composition of Dutch aniseed cordial. /. religiosum, transported 

 from China to Japan, and perhaps only a variety of the latter, possesses the same properties, but in an 

 inferior degree. 



V. SCHIZANDRE& 



(SCHIZANDRE^E, Blume. MAGNOLIACEARUM tribe III., Benth. et Hook. //.) 



Sarmentose glabrous SHRUBS, with mucous juice. LEAVES alternate, simple, 

 penninerved, entire or toothed, sub-coriaceous, often pellucidly dotted (Schizandra), 

 exstipulate. FLOWERS diclinous, axillary, solitary, small, usually scented. PERIANTH 

 ternary, multiple ; sepals and petals hypogynous, 9-12-15, 3- oo-seriate ; passing 

 gradually from the small outer to the petaloid inner. FLOWERS $ : STAMENS oo, or 

 5-15, distinct, or united into a globular mass ; filaments very short, thick, free or 

 coherent ; anthers adnate, cells short, rounded, more or less separated by the connec- 

 tive. FLOWERS ? : CARPELS oo, in a head (Kadsura) or spike (Schizandra) ; stigmas 

 sessile, decurrent on the inner edge of the ovary; ovules 2-3, superimposed, 

 pendulous, anatropous. BERRIES indehiscent. SEEDS sunk in pulp ; albumen oily, 

 copious. EMBRYO minute, straight, basilar j cotyledons divaricate j radicle near the 

 hilum, oblong, superior. 



PKINCIPAL GENERA. 

 Schizandra. Kadsura. 



This little family, annexed by Bentham and Hooker fil. to Magnoliacece, is in fact only distinguishable 

 from them by its climbing stem, exstipulate leaves, diclinous flowers, and fleshy 2-3-seeded carpels. 

 It also approaches Menispermecz, Lardizabaleee, and Anonacece (see these families). Schizandrece inhabit 

 Eastern temperate and tropical Asia ; one species grows in the warm regions of North America. The 

 mucilaginous berries of some are eatable, but tasteless. 



o 2 



