XLVI. BATIDE^l. 305 



divided into several by transverse septa (Tribulus} ; style simple, terminal, angular or 

 furrowed, sometimes short or (Tribulus} ; stigma simple ; ovules 2, superimposed in 

 each cell, or several 2-seriate, pendulous or ascending, raphe ventral, and micropyle 

 superior. FRUIT coriaceous or crustaceous, sometimes septicidal, and dividing into 

 2-10 dehiscent or indehiscent cocci, which are connate, or separable from the 

 placental column ; sometimes a loculicidal capsule. SEEDS usually solitary in each 

 cell, rarely 2 or several, pendulous ; testa membranous or crustaceous, or thick and 

 mucilaginous; albumen cartilaginous, rarely (Tribulus, &c.). EMBRYO green, 

 straight or slightly curved ; cotyledons foliaceous ; radicle short, straight, superior. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 Tribulus. *Zygophylluin. Larrea. Porliera. *Fagonia. Guaiacum. PNitraria. 



Zygophyllea are near Geraniaceee and Oxalideee (see these families). They are connected with 

 Rutacece by their hypopetalism, diplostemony, several-celled ovary, hypogynous disk, loculicidal or 

 septicidal capsule, albuminous seeds, straight or arched embryo, and superior radicle ; but Rutacece differ 

 in habit, alternate and glandular-dotted exstipulate leaves, eglandular filaments, and basilar style. The 

 genus Nitraria, doubtfully placedhere byBentham and Hooker fil., certainly approaches them in its stipulate 

 leaves, oblong anthers, and the structure of its ovary ; but it is separated by its habit, simple leaves, 

 valvate induplicate corolla, naked filaments, one-ovuled cells of the ovary, and drupaceous fruit. Zygo- 

 phyllea scarcely differ from Simarubece, except in their ovary attenuated into a simple terminal style. 

 Batidf<e also display some analogy with Tribulus. 



Zygophyllcce principally inhabit the extra-tropical and hot regions of both hemispheres, especially 

 abounding from the north-west of Africa, through the Mediterranean region, to the northern limit of India ; 

 they are rarer in South Africa, Australia, and South America. Except Fagonia, which is spread over the 

 Mediterranean region and Central Asia, and Zygophylhun, which grows throughout Africa and Asia, and 

 Tribulus, which is dispersed over tropical and sub-tropical countries, each genus has a special habitat. 

 Seetzenia inhabits tropical Africa and Eastern Asia ; the other genera are exclusively American. 

 Nitraria grows in saline ground in the North of Africa, West Asia, and Australia. 



The most useful plant of this order is Guaiacum officinale, a West Indian tree with very hard 

 faintly aromatic wood, much heavier than water, and with an acrid and bitter taste. Cabinet-makers use it 

 for balls, castors, pulleys, and other objects exposed to weight and friction. The raspings of guaiacum 

 form a valuable medicine, acting powerfully on the functions of the skin and the secretions of the kidneys, 

 and recommended as a depurative in syphilis. These properties are due to a resinous substance (guaiacine) 

 contained in the wood, and which exudes from it when cut ; it is also obtained by steeping the guaiacum 

 in alcohol, and evaporating the tincture. The Holy Guaiacum, another American species, possesses the 

 same virtues, but is only used in the New World. Zygophyllum Fabago is a reputed antisyphilitic and 

 vermifuge ; its flower-buds are used instead of capers. The Z. simplex, a species very common in the 

 most arid deserts, is used by the Arabs to remove freckles ; this plant, as well as its congeners, exhales so 

 foetid a smell, that all herbivorous animals, including even the camel, reject it. Tribulus terrestris, formerly 

 praised as an astringent, has fallen into disuse. 



XLVI. BA'IIDE^E, Lindl. 



Littoral saline plants of a grey colour. STEMS branching, diffuse, fragile. 

 LEAVES opposite, oblong-linear or obovate- oblong, sessile or subsessile, plane above, 

 convex below, fleshy, exstipulate. FLOWERS in four rows, in conical oblong spikes, 

 opposite, sessile, green, dioecious. FL. $ : FLOWERS distinct ; bracts cochleariform, 

 obtuse or very shortly acuminate, concave, entire, persistent, close together. CALYX 



x 



