392 MANUAL OF BOTANY 



latitudes. Illustrative Oenera : — Convolvulus, Linn. ; Ipom(pa, 

 Linn. ; Ouscuta, Linn. There are about 750 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are chiefly remarkable for the 

 presence of an acrid milky purgative juice in their roots ; hence 

 the order includes some important medicinal plants. In the 

 roots of some species this purgative principle is either absent or 

 in but small quantity. The seeds also of some species are 

 purgative. The Cuscuteae are. leafless parasites. 



Order 197. Nolanacb^, the Nolana Order. — C h a r a c t e r. — 

 Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate. Calyx 5-partite, 

 persistent, with a valvate aestivation. Corolla regular, with a 

 plaited sestivation. Stamens 5, opposite to the lobes of the calyx. 

 Ovary composed of from 5 to 20 carpels, either distinct or more 

 or less combined into several bundles ; style on a fleshy disc, 

 simple ; stigma sinaple. Fruit coinposed of 5 or more separate 

 or more or less combined achsenia, which are enclosed in the 

 persistent calyx. Seed with a little albumen ; embryo curved ; 

 radicle inferior. This order is combined by Bentham and 

 Hooher with Convolvulacece ; and by others it has been referred 

 to BnraginacecE. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives exclusively of South 

 America, especially of Chili. Illustrative Genera : — Nolana, 

 Linn. ; Alona, Lindl. There are about 36 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Order 198. Solanaob^, the Solanum Order. — Character. — 

 Herbs, or rarely shrubs, or trees, with a colourless juice. Leaves 

 alternate, often in pairs. Inflorescence axillary, or frequently 

 extra- axillary. Flowers isomerous. Calyx with 5 or rarely 4 

 divisions, usually persistent, often growing during the ripening 

 of the fruit (accrescent). Corolla regular or somewhat irregular, 

 5- or rarely -l-partite ; cestivation valvate, induplicate, plaited, or 

 imbricate. Stamens equal in number to the lobes of the corolla, 

 with which they are alternate ; anthers 2-oelled, sometimes 

 connate above, with longitudinal or porous dehiscence. Ovary 

 superior, usually S-celled, rarely 3 — 5-celled; style undivided, 

 stigma simple or 2-lobed. Fruit capsular or baccate, 2- or more- 

 celled. Seeds numerous, albuminous ; embryo straight, or usually 

 curved in a more or less annular or spiral form. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs or rarely shrubs or trees, with alternate 

 leaves, and a colourless juice. Flowers isomerous. Calyx and 

 coroUa with 5, or rarely 4 divisions. Corolla regular or very 

 slightly irregular ; estivation valvate, imbricate, plaited, or 

 induplicate. Stamens equal in number to the lobes of the 



