872 



CRAMBE. 



[CLASS XV. ORDEK I. 



glaucous, and somewhat succulent. Leaves alternate, large, a pale 

 glaucous green, of a somewhat leathery texture, stalked, the lower 

 ones somewhat lyrate, the upper roundish, waved, sinuated and toothed 

 on the margin. Inflorescence a terminal panicle, large, of numerous 

 crowded white flowers. Calyx of oblong concave spreading segments, 

 nearly equal at the base. Corolla of four equal petals, the limb large, 

 roundish, notched, spreading, longer than the claw. Stamens with 

 awl-shaped filaments, each with a gland at the base, the four longer 



2. NoTORHizEiE. (Fig. 2.) a Cotyledons flat, with an incumbent radicle, 

 seeds ovate or oblong, not margined ; h a transverse 

 section of the same, showing the radicle lying upon 

 tha back of the cotyledon ; c the symbol indicating 

 the radicle and the two lines, the cofyledons with 

 the sides applied to the radicle. 



3. Orthofloce^. (Fig. 3.) a Cotyledons folded together, or plaited 

 lengthwise through the middle, and enwrapping the 

 \ incumbent radicle, seeds mostly glohose, never mar- 

 J h gined ; 6 a transverse section of the same, showing the 

 folded cotyledons apped to the radicle ; c the symbol 

 indicating the radicle, and the curved cotyledons 

 enwrapping it. 



.0 



o: 



4. Spirolobe.e, (Fig. 4.) a Cotyledons linear, circinnate, or spirally 

 folded, the radicle incumbent, seeds sub-globose ; ft a 

 transverse section, showing the radicle, and the folds of 

 the cotyledons twice cut through ; c the symbol indi- 

 cating the radicle, and the two pairs of parallel lines the 

 double folds of the cotyledons. 



DiplecolobEjE. (Fig. 6.) a Cotyledons linear, twice bent, or doubly 

 folded, the radicle incumbent, seeds depressed ; & a 

 transverse section, showing the radicle, and the folds of 

 the cotyledons three times cut through ; c the symbol 

 indicating the radicle, and the three pairs of parallel 

 jr II II lines the folds of the cotyledons. 



C 



6. ScHizoPETALiDJE. Cotyledons four, spirally twisted. 



The general character of the properties of this order are antiscorbutic, and 

 stimulating, combined with a greater or less degree of acridity, and it may be 

 here observed that when the stimulating qualities of the plant are dispersed or 

 combined with a large proportion of mucilage, and the farinaceous or cellular 

 substance of the plant, that they form wholesome and nutritious food ; but when 

 these properties are concentrated, as in the seed of the mustard, the root of the 

 horse radish, &c., it is too powerfully stimulating, and can only be used as a 

 condiment in food, or for medicinal purposes. Many of the species are culti- 

 vated, and rank among our common and most useful vegetables ; and the 

 seeds of some produce valuable fixed oil, &c., as will be seen by the details ot 

 ibis important order of plants. 



