262 



XXVIII. TAMAKISCINE^. 



Portulimets are not absolutely absent from any climate, although more rare in the temperate regions 

 of Europe and central Asia than in North America. Most inhabit the subtropical regions of the southern 

 hemisphere. Aizoidea abound in South Africa, and occur in Arabia 1'etnea, and in very small numbers in 

 the Mediterranean region. Sestinefe are much more widely dispersed ; none, however, have been met with 

 in America north of the tropic, and very few are found in temperate Asia and Europe. Calandriniete are 

 nearly cosmopolitan : they penetrate into the cold regions of the North, and abound beyond the tropics, 

 and rather in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. Mottuyinea: are most frequent in tropical 

 and subtropical regions. 



Most of the species are mucilaginous; some are slightly bitter, astringent, and have been classed 

 amongst mild tonics and diuretics. The herbage of Portulacn oleracca has long enjoyed a reputation as 

 refreshing, sedative and antiscorbutic. It is also eaten as a salad ; its seed, steeped in wine, acts as an 

 emnienagogue. Several American and Asiatic Calandriniea are also used as potherbs, as are Sesuciuni 

 Portulacattrum and repciis, which grow in tropical Asia. The root of Claytonia txbernsa, a native of eastern 

 Siberia, is eatable. Talimnn and PJutrnaceum are bitter and astringent, and are popular remedies in Asia 

 and America. Soda is obtained in abundance from Aisoon canariente and hispanicum, by calcining. 



XXVIII. TAMARISCINEJS. 



(PoRTULACEAUUM (jenus, Jussleu. TAMARISCINE^E, Dcsvaux. TAMARICACE^E, Lindl.) 



Tamarir. Tamarix. 



Vertical section of flower PUtil and androjcium 



(mag.), (mag.). 



Tamarif. Seed cut vertically (mag.). 



Tamarix. 

 Tamarij: indica. Flower without its stamens (mag.). 



Tamarix. 

 Ri])e flower (mag.). 



ifyricario, 

 bcfd (mag.). 



