DICOTYLEDONES— MONOCHLAMYDE^ 241 



Calyx tubular, superior, with a valvate aestivation. Stamvens 

 6 — 12, arising from the top of the ovary, and more or less 

 attached to the style ; anthers, adnate, extrorse. Ovary inferior, 

 3 — 6-celled with numerous ovules ; style simple ; stigmas 

 radiating, and corresponding in number to the cells of the ovary. 

 Fruit capsular or succulent, 3— 6-celled. Seeds numerous, 

 albuminous ; embryo very minute. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Sparingly distributed in several 

 parts of the world, but most common in tropical South America. 

 Illustrative Genera : — Asarum, Tourn. ; Aristolochia, Tourn. 

 There are about 130 species. 



Properties and Uses. — These plants contain a bitter prin- 

 ciple and a volatile oil, and generally possess tonic, stimulant, 

 and acrid properties. Many of the species are regarded in 

 various parts of the world as useful in the treatment of snake- 

 bites. 



Series 4. — Micrembryece. 



Order 14. PiPBKACEa;, the Pepper Order. — Character. — 

 Herbs or shrubs with jointed stems. Leaves opposite, whorled, 

 or alternate, and with or without stipules. Flotvers spiked, 

 hermaphrodite or sometimes unisexual, achlamydeous, brac- 

 teate. Stamens 2 or more ; anthers 1 — 2-ceUed. Ovary 

 simple, 1-ceUed, with one erect orthotropous ovule ; stigma 

 sessile. Fruit more or less fleshy, 1-celled, l-seeded. Seed 

 erect ; embryo embedded in endosperm at the apex of the seed, 

 and on the outside of abundant perisperm. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives exclusively of tropical 

 regions, especially in America and the islands of the Indian 

 Archipelago. Illustrative Genus : — Viper, Linn. There are 

 above 600 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are chiefly 

 remarkable for acrid, pungent, aromatic, and stimulant pro- 

 perties. These qualities are principally found in their fruits, and 

 are essentially due to the presence of an acrid volatile oil and 

 jesin. Some are narcotic, and ethers are reputed to be astrin- 

 gent and febrifugal. 



Order 15. Saurueace^, the Saururus Order. — C haracter. 

 — Marshy herbs. Leaves entire, alternate, stipulate. Flowers 

 spiked, achlamydeous, hermaphrodite. Stamens 3 — 6, hypogy- 

 nous, persistent. Ovaries 3 — 4, usually more or less distinct, 

 and each with a solitary erect ovule, or sometimes united and 

 with a few ascending ovules. Fruit either consisting of 4 



VOL. II. B 



