228 KRAMERIACE^. 



those of LeguminosEe are irregularly reduced, it is the posterior which be- 

 come sterile or disappear, while in this genus the anterior stamen is sup- 

 pressed. But even this character is invalidated ; in the first place, by the 

 manifest tendency of the posterior stamens next to sufier reduction, as is 

 shown by their usually smaller size and by the disappearance of one of them 

 (as I suppose) in K. triandra ; and secondly, by the rare occurrence of the 

 same order of suppression in the Leguminosas, as in Dialiura (so admirably 

 illustrated by Mr. Bennett*) and Casparea. The trifoliolate leaves of K. 

 cytisoides, noticed by Lindley as indicating an affinity with Sapindaceae, may 

 with at least equal propriety be adduced in favor of the relationship with 

 Leguminosae. Whether Krameria is actually to be incorporated into the 

 latter family or not is still an open question ; but it is certain that it does 

 not belong to Polygalaceae. From that family it is plainly excluded by the 

 monocarpellary pistil, the relation of the sepals and petals to the axis, 

 the posterior situation of the stamens, the collateral ovules, and the exalbu- 

 minous seed. 



Etymology. The genus was dedicated by Loefling, a pupil of Linnsus, 

 to two German botanists, of the name of Kratner, one of them author of a 

 Flora of Lower Austria. 



Geographical Distribution. A genus of several species, natives of 

 Chili, Peru, Brazil, and Mexico, with one species in the West Indies, and 

 one in Florida, Arkansas, and Texas. The latter i^ nearly herbaceous, but 

 has a large and strong somewhat ligneous root. During the last summer 

 Mr, Wright found a second truly sufFruticose species on the southern fron- 

 tier of Texas, which is probably the K. pauciflora of De CandoUe. 



Properties. The roots- contain a red coloring matter, are very astringent 

 and somewhat mucilaginous, with only slight bitterness. The Rhatany-root 

 of commerce is furnished by the Peruvian Krameria triandra. Chemically 

 analyzed, it is found to contain a very large percentage of tannin, and a pe- 

 culiar acid called by Peschier the Krameric, upon which its styptic proper- 

 ties are supposed to depend. The roots, or an extract prepared from them, 

 are largely exported from Peru to Portugal, where they are used to adulter- 

 ate port-wine. The powder is commonly used in Peru as a tooth-powder, 

 and it is an ingredient of many preparations of the kind. In medicine it is 

 employed as an astringent. The roots of the West Indian K. Ixina have 

 been likewise employed for the same purposes. Those of our K. lanceolata, 

 which are often more than three feet long, are endowed with similar proper- 

 ties, and might be substituted for the officinal article, which is a profitable 

 export from Peru. 



PLATE 185. Krameria lanceolata, Torr. ; — short flowering stems, 

 with a portion of the root, of the natural size, 

 1. An expanded flower, enlarged. 



* In Horsefield's Planlce .Tavanicm Rariores, p. 136. 



