202 CLASSIFICATION 



(fig. 174); smaller goale-Iata (Vtiis setosa), the her- 

 baceous leaves of which, roasted and oiled, are applied 

 to tumours to bring about suppuration; Vitis repanda, 

 a large climber without tendrils; and dhol-samudra 

 or hatikan {Leea macrophylla), a herb with the lower 

 leaves about 2 feet across and the upper ones ^ to 

 I foot across, without tendrils. 

 The Grape Vines {Viiis vinifera) 

 belong to this family. The flowers 

 of this order are mostly small, 

 greenish, homogamous, and auto- 

 gamous. Their fragrance, how- 

 ever, indicates the possibility of 

 cross-pollination by insects. 



Nat. Order 34. Sapindacece. — 

 Trees or shrubs, sometimes climb- 

 ing by twining, occasionally with 

 tendrils. Leaves usually alter- 

 nate, compound pinnate or pal- 

 mate, or simple. Flowers regular 

 or irregular, usually 

 polygamous, small. 

 Disk annular or ob- 



^ ^ ir J Figf. 174. — KzVis, a kind of goale-Iata 



4 to 5, free or con- 

 nate, often unequal. Petals usually 5, occasionally 4, 

 often bearded, with a basal scale. Stamens 5 to 10, 

 free. Ovary i- to 4-locular, lobed or entire. Fruit 

 capsular or baccate. Seeds with or without aril, 

 albumen rarely present. 



The Order is specially abundant in the tropics. Com- 

 mon plants are ritha or Soap-nut (Sapindus trifoliatus 

 and S. Mukorossi), the fruits of which make a soap- 

 like lather in water, and are largely used for washing 

 silk and woollen fabrics, which are spoiled by mineral 



