LXXVI. EOSACEM. m 387 



nature of the elementary organs of their stem, in their acrid and blistering principles, exstipulate loaves, 

 and the definite number of their stamens. [The points of similarity between Rosacea and Cupulifera; and 

 Thymelece are more probably analogical resemblances. ED.] Pomncecs all belong to the northern hemi- 

 sphere ; they inhabit Europe, Asia, and North America ; they are common on the mountains of India, 

 and rare in Mexico, Madeira, North Africa, and the Sandwich Islands. Pyrm [in its limited sense] is 

 confined to the Old World; the Mountain Ash often accompanies the Birch to the highest northern lati- 

 tudes ; Rosa is only found north of the tropics ; Fragaria inhabits all northern temperate regions, as also 

 extra-tropical South America and the Moluccas ; [an Indian yellow-flowered species is sub-tropical]. 

 Brambles abound especially in the northern temperate regions of both worlds, [but there are comparatively 

 few species in America] ; they are rare in the tropics, and some are found in the southern hemisphere as 

 far as New Zealand. Potentilla, Geum, Dryas, Ayrimonia, Sanguisorba, Poterium, and Alchemilla mostly 

 inhabit the temperate and cool parts of the northern hemisphere ; [Alchemilla is essentially Andean, and 

 Ayrimonia is found in South Africa, South America, and Australia]. Some Sanyuisorbea belong to 

 tropical and sub-tropical America. The true Spiraeaccee live north of the tropics ; the others in Peru and 

 Chili. Neuradete are confined to the south and north of Africa [and West Asia]. Amygdalea for the 

 most part inhabit the north temperate zone ; a few only occur in tropical America, and some in the 

 Canaries, and Azores, and Sandwich Islands; none have yet been met with beyond the tropic of Capricorn. 

 {Primus itself is not uncommon in tropical America, and Pygp.wm is essentially tropical Asiatic, and is 

 also found in Africa and Australia. Chrysobalanece are chiefly tropical American, and many of them 

 Brazilian ; a few occur in tropical Asia and Africa ; Stylobasiwn is Western Australian. Quillajea are 

 for the most part Western American ; but Eucrypkia is also found in Australia. ED.] 



The fruits of Pomaceee contain mucilage, sugar, and malic acid, in proportions so well developed 

 and modified by cultivation, that this family has become one of the most useful in the Vegetable 

 Kingdom. 



Cydonia vulyaris (Quince). Fruit astringent, edible with sugar in jelly and syrup. Seeds with an 

 emollient mucilage. Pyrus commimis (Pear). Fruit obconic or sub-globular ; flesh saccharine, savoury 

 and melting, containing near the heart stony concretions of cells ; it contains the same principles as that 

 of Apples, and its juice is fermented to make perry. Its wood, which is close-grained, and much sought 

 by joiners, was formerly used by engravers. Pyrus Mains (Apple). Fruit usually globose, always 

 umbilicate at the base, and not narrowed into the peduncle ; flesh firm, brittle and acidulous, never 

 stony, containing, besides sugar and malic acid, gum, pectine, and albumine. Apples are used for 

 preserves, syrup, and jelly; and their fermented j nice yields cider and vinegar. Pyrus (Sorbus) domestica 

 (Service). Fruit at first harsh, becoming pulpy and sweet after gathering, edible, fermentable. AVood 

 very finely grained, and takes a good polish. Pyrus (Sorbus) Aucuparia (Mountain Ash, or Rowan-tree). 

 Fruit pulpy, containing malic acid, of a nauseous taste, but fermentable, and yielding a spirituous liquor 

 when distilled. Pyrus (Sorbus) Aria (Beam-tree). Fruit with a sugary pulp, scarcely acid. Wood ol 

 a very fine texture, and more valuable than that of the Pear. Pyrus (Sorbux) torminalis (Service). Fruit 

 harsh, then acid. Bark formerly employed as an astringent in dysentery. 



Crat&gus Azarolus. Fruit pnlpy, edible. \_C. Oxyacantha is the Hawthorn, so useful for hedges.] 

 Mespilus germanica (Medlar). Fruit harsh, becoming pulpy and sweet after it is gathered, edible, 

 astringent. \JEriobotryajaponica, the Loquat, a dessert fruit of China and Japan, is now cultivated in all 

 warm countries.] 



Rosa canina (Dog-Rose). Fruit pulpy, making an astringent antiseptic preserve. The achenes are 

 a vermifuge ; young leaves infused as tea. Root formerly praised as a specific against hydrophobia 

 (whence its name). Stem frequently presenting a mossy excrescence (Robin's Pincushion), caused by the 

 puncture of an insect, and formerly used, under the name of bedeguar, as a diuretic, anthelminthic, and 

 antiscorbutic. R. Gattica (Rose de Provence). Petals astringent, and afford conserve of Roses and honey 

 of Roses. R. centifotia, Kalendartim, moschata, [deffMucena], &c. The petalsyield Rose-water by distillation 

 (employed in making an astringent eyewater), and, by maceration in oil of sesamum, the attar of Roses used 

 in perfumery. Agrimonia Eupatoria and A. odorata (Agrimony). Leaves astringent, employed against 

 angina, nephritis, pulmonary catarrhs, &c. Alchemilla mdgaris (Lady's Mantle). Leaves astringent, 

 vulnerary. Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Buruet). Plant astringent. Poterium Sanyuisorba (Salad 

 Burnet). Plant used for forage, and as a condiment, astringent. 



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