262 



XXVIII. TAMAEISCmE^. 



Portulnveee are not absolutely absent from any climate, altboiioli more rare in the temperate regions 

 of Europe and central Asia tban in North America. Most inhabit the subtropical regions of the southern 

 hemisphere. Akoidece abound in South Africa, and occur in Arabia Petrsea, and in very small numbers in 

 the Mediterranean region. Sesuviecs are much more widely dispersed ; none, however, have been met with 

 in America north of the tropic, and very few are found in temperate Asia and Europe. Calandriniece are 

 nearly cosmopolitan : they penetrate into the cold regions of the North, and abound beyond the tropics, 

 and rather in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. Molluginea are most frequent in tropical 

 and subtropical regions. 



Most of the species are mucilaginous; some are slightly bitter, astringent, and have been classed 

 amongst mild tonics and diuretics. The herbage of Portiilaca oleracea has long enjoyed a reputation as 

 refreshing, sedative and antiscorbutic. It is also eaten as a salad ; its seed, steeped in wine, acts as an 

 emmenagogue. Several American and Asiatic Calandriniece are also used as potherbs, as are Sesuvium 

 Portulacastrum and repens, which growin tropical Asia. The root of Claytmiia tuberosa, anative of eastern 

 Siberia, is eatable. Talinum and Pharnaceum are bitter and astringent, and are popular remedies in Asia 

 and America. Soda is obtained in abundance from Aiwon canariense and hispanicum, by calcining. 



XXYIII. TAMARISCINEjE. 



(PoKTULACEAKTTM cjenus, Jussieu. — Tamaeiscinb^, Desvaux. — Tamaricaob^, Idndl.) 



Tamai-ix. Tamarix. 



Vertical section of flower Pistil and andrcecinm 



(mag.). (mag.). 



Tamai'ix. Seed cut vertically (mag.). 



Tamarix, 

 Tamarix iniiea. riower without its stamens Cmag,). 



Tamarix, 

 Eiue flower Cmaff.V 



