194 MANUAL OF BOTANY 



parallel curved veins springing from the midribs, and long 

 sheathing petioles, which together form by their union a spurious 

 aerial stem. Flowers irregular, spathaceous. Perianth irregular, 

 6-partite, petaloid, superior, arranged in 2 vsfhorls. Stamens 6, 

 inserted upon the divisions of the perianth, some abortive ; 

 anthers 2-ceUed. Ovary inferior, 3-ceUed. Fruit capsular, 

 dehiscing locuhcidally, or succulent and indehiscent, S-celled. 

 Seeds usually numerous, rarely 3, without endosperm. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Generally diffused throughout 

 tropical and sub-tropical regions. Illustrative Genera : — Musa, 

 Tourn. ; Eavenala, Adams. There are about 20 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The fruits of some species and 

 varieties form important articles of food in tropical regions. 

 Others yield valuable textile materials ; and the large leaves of 

 many are used for various purposes, such as to form a kind of 

 cloth, and as thatching for cottages, &c. The seeds and fruits of 

 others are used as dyeing agents in some countries. 



Order 8. Beomeliace^, the Bromelia Order. — C h a r a c- 

 t e r. — Herbs or somewhat woody plants, commonly epiphytical. 

 Leaves persistent, crowded, channelled, rigid, sheathing at the 

 base, and frequently scurfy and with spiny margins. Flowers 

 showy. Perianth regular, superior, or nearly or quite inferior, 

 arranged in two whorls, the outer of which has its parts 

 commonly united into a tube ; and the inner has its parts dis- 

 tinct, imbricate, and of a different colour from those of the outer 

 whorl. Stamens 6; ajithers introise. Ovary 3-ce\leA; style 1. 

 Fruit capsular or indehiscent. Seeds numerous ; embryo 

 'minute, at the base of mealy albumen, with the radicle next 

 the hilum. 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are mostly found in the 

 tropical regions of America, West Africa, and the East Indies. 

 They appear to have been originally natives of America and the 

 adjoining islands, but are now naturalised in West Africa and 

 the East Indies. Illustrative Genera : — Ananassa, Lindl. ; 

 Tillandsia, Linn. There are about 180 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are chiefly important for yielding 

 edible fruits and useful fibrous materials. Some are anthel- 

 mintic, and others contain colouring matters. 



Order 9. HiEMODOEACE^, the Blood-root Order. — Oharac- 

 t e r. — Herbs or rarely shrubs, with fibrous roots. Leaves usually 

 equitant, ensiform. Perianth more or less superior, tubular, 6- 

 partite, regular, the divisions usually scurfy or woolly on their 

 outside Stamens 3 or 6 when 3 they are opposite the inner 



