LIV. ZANTHOXYLE^E. 325 



aestivation, deciduous, rarely (Zanthoxylum). FLOWERS $ : STAMENS inserted with 

 the petals, equal and alternate, or double in number ; filaments filiform or subulate, 

 free ; anthers dehiscing longitudinally. OVARY rudimentary, stipitate, sometimes 0. 

 FLOWERS $ : STAMENS or rudimentary, inserted at the base of^he disk, shorter 

 than the ovary. CARPELS equal with the petals or fewer, distinct, or connate at the 

 base, or throughout into a several-celled ovary ; ovules 2 in each cell, superimposed 

 or collateral, very rarely solitary (SJeimmia), usually anatropous or semi-anatropous. 

 FRUIT sometimes simple, 2-5-celled, fleshy (Toddalia, Acronychia, Skimmia), or 

 rarely a samara (Ptelea), usually a capsule opening in dehiscent shells by their inner 

 edge, sometimes compound, formed of several drupes (Melanococca, &c.) or capsules 

 (Zanthoxylum, Boymid) ; endocarp sometimes separating elastically. SEEDS pendu- 

 lous ; testa coriaceous or crustaceous, usually smooth, shining ; albumen fleshy, 

 rarely (Pilocarpus, Esenbeckia, Casimiroa). EMBRYO axile, straight or slightly 

 curved ; cotyledons oval or oblong, flattened ; radicle shorter than the cotyledons, 

 superior. 



PKINCIPAL GENERA. 



*Skimmia. *Zanthoxylum. Pitavia. Toddalia. *Ptelea. Acronychia. 



Zanthoxylece are allied to Rutacece, Diosmece and Simartibete (see these families). They also approach 

 Burseracete in the woody stem, psJflicid-dotted compound exstipulate leaves, often polygamo-dioecious 

 flowers, aestivation of the calyx and corolla, annular or cupuliforui disk, diplostemony, 2-ovuled ovarian 

 cells, and drupaceous fruit. Zanthoxylece also present more than one point of analogy with Anacardiacea ; 

 but they have most affinity with Aurantiacece, so much so that a Skimmia has been described as a species of 

 Limonia. 



Zanthoxylece inhabit the tropical regions of Asia, and especially of America; they are less numerous 

 in extra-tropical America, South Africa, and Australia. Zanthoxylum belongs to the tropical zone of 

 both worlds ; Skimmia to Japan and the Himalayas ; Toddalia to tropical Asia and Africa ; Ptelea to 

 North America. Australia possesses the genera Acronychia, Pentaceras, Medicosma, &c. 



Some species of this family are medicinal : the bark of Zanthoxylun^ and especially that of the root, 

 contains a bitter crystallizable principle (zanthopicrite), an acrid resin, and a yellow colouring matter. 

 The aromatic root of Z. nitidum is classed in China amongst sudorifics, emmenagogues, and febrifuges; 

 the leaves contain a little volatile oil, whence they are used as a condiment. Z. Budrunga in India is 

 similarly employed. Z. Rethsa grows on the Indian mountains ; its young fruits have the taste of orange- 

 rind, and its seeds that of black pepper. The capsules of Z. piperitum, all parts of which have an -acrid 

 aroma, afford the Japan pepper of commerce. The bark of Z.fraxineum, a native of North America, is a 

 reputed diuretic and sudorific ; it is also chewed to excite salivation and to alleviate toothache. Z. ter- 

 natum and Clava-Herculis are flimilarly used ; they are West Indian shrubs which yield a yellow dye ; their 

 bark is regarded as antisyphilitic and their bitter astringent leaves as a vulnerary. Finally, the seeds of 

 some species are employed to poison fish. Ptelea trifoliata, commonly called Three-leaved or Samarian Elm, 

 is a small Carolina tree cultivated in Europe; its leaves are considered in North America as a vermifuge, and 

 detergent for ulcers. Its bitter aromatic capsules are a substitute for hops in brewing ; but this substitu- 

 tion is not without its inconveniences. Toddalia aculeata, a shrub of tropical Asia, all parts of which 

 contain an aromatic bitter acrid principle, is used by the natives of the Indian Archipelago as a stomachic, 

 a febrifuge, and as seasoning for food. 



