CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERMS. 259 



this family belongs the American mistletoe {Phoradendron fla- 

 vescens) parasitic on oaks, elms, the tupelo (Nyssa), red maple 

 and other deciduous trees. The white, globose berries of this 

 plant are quite poisonous, as are also those of the European mistle- 

 toe (Viscum album) and the oak mistletoe of Southern Europe 

 {Loranthiis europaus) . The fruits of this family contain a sub- 

 stance known as visciN which is due to the action of an enzyme. 

 This substance serves to attach the seeds to the barks of trees, 

 where they germinate, and it is used in the manufacture of bird- 

 lime, which owing to its viscid character is used to catch small 

 birds. 



b. SANTALACE^ OR SANDALWOOD FAMILY.— 

 The plants are chlorophyllous herbs or shrubs which are common 

 in warm countries, and many of which are paf-asitic on the roots of 

 other plants. A number of them contain volatile oils, as the wood 

 of various species of Santalum. The official oil of santal is ob- 

 tained from the scented wood of the white sandalwood {Santalum 

 album) a small tree growing wild and also cultivated in India and 

 the East Indian Archipelago. The wood from the East Indies is 

 known as Macassar sandalwood and yields 1.6 to 3 per cent, of 

 oil, while the Indian wood yields 3 to 5 per cent. The oil consists 

 of 90 to 98 per cent, of santalol. Fiji oil of santal is obtained from 

 6". Yasi; and Australian oil of santal from Fusanus acuminatus 

 and F. spicatus. The Chinese oil is obtained from Santalum 

 Freycinctianum and ^. Preisci. 



c. FAMILY BALANOPHORACE^.— The plants of this 

 group are indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical regions. They 

 are root-parasites and develop tuberous rhizomes and fleshy shoots 

 which are yellow and without foliage leaves. Balanophora elongata 

 of Java grows on the roots of Ficus and other plants, and contains 

 a large quantity of wax and resin. Sarcophyte.sanguinea of Cape 

 Colony, which lives on the roots of certain Acacias, contains a 

 principle with the odor of scatol. Cynomorinin coccineum, found 

 in the countries bordering the Mediterranean, has a blood-red, 

 astringent sap. The torus of the flower of Langsdorffia hypogcoa 

 of tropical America is edible. The plant is also rich in wax and 

 in New Granada it is sold under the name of " Siejas " and 

 burnt like a candle. 



