DIPSACACB^ — CALYCEEACE^. 515 



and antispasmodics. The root of Valeriana officinalis is the common 

 medicinal Valerian. It has a bitter acrid taste, and a peculiar odour, 

 which is fetid and disagreeable in the dry state. In the form of 

 tincture and infusion it is prescribed in caises of hysteria. Other 

 species of Valerian, as V. celtica, Phu, siichensis, and Saliunca, have 

 similar properties. Valerian is known to have a peculiar effect on 

 cats, causing a species of intoxication. Nardostachys Jatamansi is the 

 "nj (nerd), vdgdog, or spikenard of the ancients, which was highly 

 prized on account of its perfume. Valerianella olitoria, Lamb's lettuce, 

 is used as a salad. Many of the plants in the order secrete a peculiar 

 volatile oU, to which these properties are due. 



Order 96. — DipsacacEjE, the Teazel Family. (Monopet. Spigyn.) 

 Calyx superior; entire, or toothed, or pappose (iigs. 302, 303, p. 199). 

 CoroUa gamopetalous, superior, with an oblique 4-5-lobed limb ; aesti- 

 vation imbricated. Stamens 4, attached to the tube of the corolla, and 

 alternate with its lobes ; anthers dithecal, distinct. Ovary inferior, 

 unilocular ; ovule solitary, pendulous, anatropal ; style filiform ; stigma 

 simple. Fruit dry, indehiscent, crowned by the liijib of the calyx, 

 covered by an epicalyx or involucellum, 1 -celled. Seed solitary, pen- 

 dulous, albuminous ; embryo straight ; radicle superior. — Herbs or 

 undershrubs, with opposite or verticillate leaves, and capitate or verti- 

 cillate flowers, surrounded by a many-leaved involucre (figs. 253, 

 p. 175 ; 265, p. 180). They are found in the south of Europe, the 

 Levant, and at the Cape of Good Hope. The properties of the order 

 are unimportant. The name Dipsacus is derived from Sl-^a, thirst, in 

 consequence of the bases of the leaves of some of the species being 

 connate, in such a way as to enclose a cavity which contains water 

 ready to allay thirst. D. syhestris is hence called Venus's Bath ; 

 the water contained in which was considered good for bleared eyes. 

 The heads of Dipsacus fullonum, Fullers' Teazel, on account of their 

 spiny bracts, are used in dressing cloth. Some of the species are 

 reputed febrifugal. Scabiosa suceisa is said to yield a green dye, and 

 has from its astringent qualities attracted the attention of tanners. 

 It has a premorse rhizome. Genera, 5 ; species, 120. Examples — 

 Morina, Scabiosa, Dipsacus. 



Order 97. — OalyceeacBjE, the Calycera Family. (Monopet. 

 Bpigyn.) Calyx superior, with a limb of 5 unequal segments. Corolla 

 regular, infundibuliform, with a long slender tube, and a 5-lobed 

 limb, the lobes having each three principal veins. Stamens 5, attached 

 to the tube of the coroUa, with as many alternating glands below 

 them ; filaments monadelphous ; anthers partially united. Ovary 

 inferior, 1-celled ; ovule solitary, pendulous ; style single, smooth ; 

 stigma capitate. Fruit an ach«nium, crowned by the rigid spiny 

 segments of the calyx, sometimes covered with papillse, wHich emit 

 spiral tubes when placed in water. Seed solitary, pendulous ; embryo 



