762 IV. MUSACE^E. 



protruded through the vitellus, prolonged beyond the albumen, and reaching to 



the hilum. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 



* Globba. Trilophus. * Alpinia. * Roscoea. Dhacodes. 

 Colebrookia. Achasuia. * Iledycbium. Ceranthera. Stenochasma. 



* Renealuria. Zingiber. * Amomum. Piperidium. Curcuma. 



* Elettaria. * Gastrochilus. Ksempferia. Donacodes. * Costus. 



Hitchenia. 



We bave indicated the close affinity between Zingiber acea, Cannacecc, and Musaceee under tbe latter 

 families. Zingiberacece are for the most part tropical, and especially Asiatic ; they are rare in the sub- 

 tropical regions of Japan, as well as in equinoctial Africa and America [but very abundant in tropical 

 Africa]. 



The root of Zingiberacece contains various volatile oils, an aromatic resin, a bitter principle, a more or 

 less abundance of starch, and sometimes a yellow colouring matter (curcumine). The odoriferous prin- 

 ciples which abound in the roots are also found in the fruits, but are [usually] scarcely perceptible in 

 the herbage. The root of Ginger (Zhiyiber ojficinale), introduced from India into the Antilles by the 

 Spaniards, has an acrid pungent taste and a strongly aromatic scent ; it is considered in India to be anti- 

 scorbutic and aphrodisiac. Many European doctors recommend it as a powerful stimulant, for which 

 reason it enters into the composition of an English beer (Ginger beer) much used in North Europe. It is 

 equally valued as a condiment, preserved in sugar. The roots of Galanga, the origin of which is some- 

 what obscure, fcnd the use of which is nearly given up, are furnished in India by different species of 

 Alpinia. Zedoary is the produce of Curcuma Zedoaria and Zerumbet. From the root of C. Icucorhiza and 

 angustifolia an arrowroot is obtained, but it is charged with a yellow matter, and much inferior to that 

 of Marunta. The roots of Costus, formerly renowned in Europe, have now fallen into disuse, although 

 their great bitterness causes them still to be used in India as a tonic. It is the same with the roots of 

 several Curcuma: and Kcemjtfena;, commonly called Terra-merita [Turmeric], Indian Saffron, &c., which 

 contain a very abundant yellow colouring matter, more useful in dyeing than in medicine [and which 

 form a principal ingredient in Curries]. The fruits of Amomum, called Cardamoms, are employed aa a 

 condiment, and esteemed for their stomachic properties. Maniguette [Meliguetta], or Grains of Paradise 

 {A. Granum-paradisi), a Guinea species, is used, with several of its congeners (A. citriodorum, &c.), to 

 add strength to vinegar, and to adulterate pepper [and spirits]. The Peruvians, according to Pb'ppig, 

 apply the odoriferous leaves of Renealmia as a topic for rheumatic pains. 



IV. MUSACE^E. 



(Mus-<E, Jussieu. MUSACE^E, Agardh.) 



FLOWERS 5 . PERIANTH superior, petaloid, irregular, Q-merous, 2-seriate. 

 STAMENS 6, of which 1 or more are usually imperfect. OVARY inferior, '3-celled, 

 1-many-ovuled ; OVULES anatropous. FRUIT fleshy , indehiscent, or sub- drupaceous with 

 loculicidal or septicidal dehiscence. SEED albuminous ; RADICLE inferior or centripetal. 

 HERBS. LEAVES alternate, sheathing, midrib giving off" laterally simple and parallel 

 secondary nerves. 



HERBS, often gigantic. STEM or SCAPE enveloped by the thick and persistent 

 sheathing bases of the petioles, simple, sometimes appearing as an arborescent 

 trunk, sometimes very short or 0. LEAVES alternate, petioled, simple, entire, con- 

 volute in vernation ; limb usually elongated, sometimes arrested ; midrib thick, 

 giving off laterally transverse or oblique secondary nerves, parallel, very close, a 



