XXIV. VOCHYSIACB^. 



251 



pairs opposite to the petals, the filaments are free, the anthers extrorsey the hairs stellate and glandular; 

 but, nevertheless, Tremandrece may be considered as regular-flowered Poli/yalece, &c. 



Te/rat/iecfi procumbent. 

 Flower. 



Tetratheca. 

 tollen grains (uiag.). 



Tetratheca. 



Vortical section of pistil 

 (mag.)- 



Tetratheca. 

 Stamen (mag.)-- 



Tetratheca. 



Seed cut vertically 



(mag.). 



Pvlyyala, the type 1 of the family, is dispersed over all 

 the globe, though least frequent in extra-tropical South 

 America. The other genera are distributed over the 

 tropical and warm southern temperate zones. 



Polytjalea contain a bitter principle which gives them 

 Tetrathecaverticuiata, tonic and astringent properties ; this is often accompanied 



by an acrid principle, named sencgine, which renders some 



species emetic. The root of P. Senega is used in Europe on account of its stimulating action on the 

 pulmonary mucous membrane ; the natives of Virginia use it as an antidote to snake-bites, as do the 

 South Africans the P. Serpentaria. The European Polygalas are still prescribed for lung diseases. 

 Jiadiera diversifolia, a shrub of the Antilles, is a sudorific analogous to guaiacum. The bark of the root 

 of Monnina polystachya is employed in Peru as an astringent and antidysenteric ; the ladies of that country 

 also use it in smoothing their hair. The drupe of the South African Mundtiu spinosa is eatable. The 

 root of Krameria tiiandra possesses astringent and tonic properties, due to its containing much tannin. 



XXIV. VOCHYSIACE^ 



TREES, often gigantic, with copious resinous juice, rarely erect or sarmentose 

 (Trigonia), or climbing SHRUBS. BRANCHES usually opposite or whorled. LEAVES 

 opposite or whorled (alternate in Lightia), shortly petioled, coriaceous, quite entire; 

 stipules small or 0, or reduced to glands. INFLORESCENCE various, often racemed or 

 panicled. FLOWERS irregular, , often large, pedicels jointed and bracteate. 

 SEPALS 6, free or connate at the base, or rarely adnate to the ovary, 2 outer often 



1 This order is omitted in the original. ED. 



