126 GERANIACE^. 



likely that the five hypogynous glands, alternate with the petals, represent 

 the primary stamineal verticil, the shorter and often sterile stamens the sec- 

 ond, and the larger stamens the third verticil. 



This order consists of about five hundred known species, comprised in four 

 genera, namely: — 1. Geranium, which belongs principally to the northern 

 temperate zone, especially to Europe and Northern Asia, has ten perfect 

 stamens, and the styles in fruit are simply revolute from the base upwards, 

 and not bearded within. 2. Erodium, which is widely diffused over the 

 warmer temperate and subtropical regions of the whole Old World, and spar- 

 ingly also in the New, and is distinguished by having only five antheriferous 

 stamens, and styles which are bearded inside and spirally twisted in fruit. 

 3. Monsonia, of Southern Africa, which has fifteen perfect stamens and the 

 fruit of Erodium or Pelargonium. 4. Pelargonium, a large genus which 

 belongs to the southern hemisphere, and entirely to the Cape of Good Hope, 

 with the exception of one or two Australian and Oceanic species ; and is 

 characterized by the more or less irregular corolla, and the spurred calyx 

 (the spur wholly adnate to the pedicel) ; the perfect stamens less than ten. 



An astringent principle pervades the order, as is manifest especially in the 

 root of our Geranium maculatum. This is also accompanied, in many cases, 

 by an aromatic ethereal oil, upon which their odor depends ; that of Pelargo- 

 nium roseum, obtained by distillation, is used for adulterating attar of roses. 

 The juice contains considerable mucilage, and in many Pelargoniums is acid- 

 ulated with a free acid. The flowers of most species are handsome ; but 

 only the Pelargoniums are much cultivated. 



The roots of Geranium are purely astringent. Those of our G. macu- 

 latum, which is the species most used in medicine, contain much gallic acid 

 and tannin, the latter, according to Dr. Bigelow, in larger proportion than in 

 kino. They are so astringent that the plant is called Alum-root in some 

 parts of the country, and has a high reputation as a remedy for chronic dys- 

 entery, bowel-complaints, aphthous ulcerations, &c. 



