374 LXXVI. ROSACEA. 



Ast/ragalus creticus, verus and arutatus are Oriental shrubs, from tlie trunk of which exudes Gum 

 Tragacanth, a gelatinous juice [colloid], swelling in water, much used in pharmacy and manufactures. 



Colutea arborescens (Bladder-Senna),. A shrub indigenous to Southern Europe. Leaves purgative, and 

 seeds emetic. 



JIe?-miniera elaphroxylon. A shrub of Senegambia with a very light wood, used instead of corks for 

 floating fishing nets. 



Glyciirhiza glabra, echinata, and ylandulifera are perennial herbs of North-western Europe, with sugary 

 rhizomes, used in medicine as emollients. By decoction and evaporation their roots yield the dry extract 

 called Liquorice [or Spanish Juice], 



Indigofera tinctoria, Atiil and argentea are tropical Asiatic undershrubs, containing in their leaves 

 Indigo, a colouring principle which is exti'acted by fermentation in water. 



Melilotua officinalis (Melilot). An indigenous herb becoming odoriferous when dried, and sweetening 

 hay for cattle. An infusion of the flowers is used as an antiophthalmic. 



Trigonella Faumm-grtscum (Fenugreek) is a herb with aromntic and bitter seeds, used as a resolvent 

 poultice,- and mixed as a stimulant with oats for horses. 



Medicago sativa, lupulina, &c. (Lucern) ; Trifojium pratense, repens, &c. (Clover), are indigenous 

 excellent fodder-herbs. 



Genista tinctoria (Dyer's Weed) is an indigenous dye-plant with diuretic flowers and purgative and 

 emetic seeds formerly prescribed for hydrophobia. 



Sarothamnus scoparius (Broom) is an indigenous shrub with slender flexible branches [extensively 

 used for basket-work and as a diuretic]. The flowers are infused in milk, and used as a lotion for 

 skin diseases ; the flower-buds, preserved in vinegar, are used like capers. 



TJIex europceus (Furze, Gorse, Whin), an indigenous shrub, much used for firewood [in France], affords 

 , winter cattle-food. 



Lupinus atbtis, varius, lutms, &c. Annual herbs with feculent eatable seeds ; stem and leaves used 

 as green fodder. 



Crotalaria juncea is a Bengal shrub [whose fibre is extensively used as Sunn-hemp]. 



Anagyris fcdida is a Mediterranean shrub, called Stinking-wood, with purgative stimulating leaves 

 and very poisonous seeds. 



Physost.igma venenosmn yields seeds called Calabar Beans ; [they contain one of the most virulent of 

 poisons, which possesses the curious property of causing contraction of the pupil. — Ed.]. 



LXXVr. ROSACEA, Jussieu. 



Stem herlaceous or woody. Leaves alternate [opposite in Eliodotypus], stipulate,, 

 or very rarely exstipulate (Spiraea, Aruncus, &c.). Inflorescence varioMs. Flowers 

 S, sometimes diclinous [regular, asymmetrical in Tribe Chrysobalanese], Caltx 5-4- 

 merous, imbricate or valvate in wstivation. Petals as many as sepals, free, inserted on 

 the calyx, imbricate in cestivation, sometimes 0. Stamens usually indefinite, many- 

 seriate, inserted like the petals; anthers 2-ceUed, introrse, dorsifixed. Pistil very 

 various. Ovules anatropous. Embryo straight, ex albuminous, or very rarely albu- 

 minous (JSTevinsia). 



Tribe I. POMAGBM, Jussieu. 



Stem woody. Leaves with free caducous stipules. Flowers 5 , terminal, in 

 a corymb, cyme, raceme or umbel. Eeceptacular cupule (calyx-tube of many 

 botanists) enveloping the ovaries, and adnate to them, terminated by a,5-lobedcalyx. 



