LIV. ZANTHOXYLE^. 323 



sometimes columnar (Spiranthera), rarely depressed (Galipea), or squamiform, 

 unilateral (Monnieria}. Carpels 2-ovuled; testa coriaceous ; embryo exalbuminous, 

 curved ; cotyledons crumpled, convolute. Leaves usually alternate, 1-3-foliolate. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 Monnieria. Galipea. *Erythrochiton. Almeidea. Spiranthera. 



Diosmece cannot be separated from Rutacea (see this family) ; the genus Diatamnus unites them by 

 its irregular flowers, straight embryo, 4-ovuled ovarian cells, albuminous seed, herbaceous stem, and 

 imparipinnate leaves. Zanthoxylece are equally near, in their regular flowers, polypetalous hypogynous 

 imbricate isostemonous or diplostemonous corolla, free or nearly free carpels with 2-ovuled cells, often 

 elastic endocarp, straight (rarely curved) embryo, woody stem, and usually pellucid-dotted simple or com- 

 pound alternate and opposite exstipulate leaves ; they scarcely differ save in the diclinous flowers and 

 fruit, Diosmca have also some analogy with Simanibece (see this family). 



Eudiosmea all belong to South Africa ; Boroniece to Australia, and Cuspariecs to tropical America. 

 The volatile oil and the aromatic resin of EucKosmete are stimulating and antispasmodic, and many species 

 are thus used by the natives and colonists of the Cape. The leaves oiBarosma crenata also contain a prin- 

 ciple (diosmine), owing to which they are now admitted into European medicine as diuretics and dia- 

 phoretics, in affections of the kidneys and bladder, in rheumatism, and even cholera. The properties of 

 Boroniece are little known ; in Australia the leaves of Correct, are made use of as tea. In the bark of some 

 Cuspariece there is a bitter alkaloid (angusturine or cusparine), united with a soft resin and a little volatile 

 oil, which places them, after quinine, amongst the most efficacious tonics and febrifuges. According to 

 some this bark is yielded by the Galipea Cusparia, a large tree forming vast forests on the banks of the 

 Orinoco ; according to others, by G. officinalis, a shrub of the same country. The bark of Ticorea febrifuga, 

 a Brazilian and Guiana tree, is also recommended as a substitute for quinine. The aromatic and acrid 

 root of Monnieria trifoh'a, a plant distinguished from its woody congeners by its herbaceous stem, is 

 praised in America as a diaphoretic, diuretic and alexipharmic. 



LIV. ZANTHOXYLE^, Adr. Jussieu. 

 (DIOSMEARUM genera et PTELEACE^E, Kunth. XANTHOXYLACE^E, Lindl.} 



FLOWERS regular, very often polygamo -dioecious. PETALS 54-3, imbricate or 

 valvate, inserted at the base of a free disk. STAMENS inserted with the petals, equal 

 or double them in number. CARPELS distinct or connate, 2-ovuled. FRUIT a drupe 

 or samara, or of separate dehiscent cocci. ALBUMEN fleshy, rarely 0. EMBRYO axile, 

 straight or curved. STEM woody. LEAVES exstipulate, usually glandular-dotted. 



La,rge or small TREES or SHRUBS, unarmed, tliorny, or aculeate. LEAVES 

 alternate or opposite, rarely whorled (Pitavia, Pilocarpus), generally pinnate, or 

 imparipinna.te, often 1-fbliolate by suppression of the lateral leaflets (Zanthoxylum, 

 Evodia, &c.), usually pellucid-dotted, rarely simple (8kimmia), petiole sometimes 

 margined or winged (Zanthoxylum) ; stipules 0. FLOWERS usually imperfect, 

 regular, axillary or terminal, mostly arranged in axillary cymes, panicles or corymbs, 

 rarely in racemes or spikes (Pilocarpus, EsenbecJcia) , very rarely solitary (Astro- 

 phyllum). CALYX persistent or deciduous, 4-5- (rarely 3-) partite (Zanthoxylum), 

 aestivation imbricate, or rarely valvate (Melanococca) . PETALS inserted at the base 

 of a free disk, in a ring or cushion, sometimes inconspicuous, imbricate or valvate in 



Y 2 



