CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERMS. 



239 



A number of the plants of this family contain saponin, as the 

 species of Smilax. Some contain coniferin and vanillin, as Aspar- 

 agus officinalis. Some of the group contain glucosidal principles 

 which under the influence of ferments yield ethereal oils contain- 

 ing sulphur, as the various species of Allium. 



I 



-Fig. 131. Swi/aa; werfica, the roots of which yield a sarsaparilla. To the right a por- 

 tion of branch showing the characteristic veined leaves, the tendril-like appendages on the 

 petioles, and the axillary, umbel-like clusters of fruits; A, staminate flower; B, pistillate 

 flower in longitudinal section; C, transverse section of the tri-locular ovary; D, longi- 

 tudinal section of ovary; E, seed. — After Bentley and Trimen. 



A number of plants of the Liliacese are used as vegetables, 

 as the onion (Allium Cepa), leek (A. P or rum), garlic {A, sati- 

 vum), and chives {A. Schoenoprasum) , asparagus {Asparagus of- 

 ficinalis). A number also are quite poisonous when fresh but 

 edible when cooked. 



b. AMARYLLIDACEyE OR AMARYLLUS FAMILY.— 

 This group is of special interest because it includes the Agave 



