CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERMS. 



315 



They contain a fixed oil which is obtained by expression and 

 which is poisonous and a powerful cathartic. The seeds of a 

 number of the other members of the Euphorbiaceae contain fixed 

 oils resembling those of Croton and Ricinus, as Curcas the seeds 

 of Jatropha Curcas of tropical America. Mexican Croton Oil 



Fig. 162. Stillingia sylvatica: showing the more or less closely arranged leaves 

 and the terminal spike of flowers. — After Bentley and Trimen. 



is obtained from the seeds of Ruphorbia calyculata. The seeds of 

 the Caper Spurge or Wild Caper {Euphorbia Lathyris) nat- 

 uralized in the United States from Europe, also contain a fixed 

 oil resembling that of Croton. The seeds of Joannesia princeps 

 of the maritime provinces of Brazil are also powerful purgatives. 



