482 



CXVII. CAPEIFOLIACEiE. 



Elder. Pistil and calyx (mag.). 



Elder (Satnbucus nigra). Eipe fruit. 



Elder, Seed entire and cut vertically (mag.). 



Corolla regular, rotate. Stigmas 3, sessile. Seeds with a ventral raphe. 



PEINCIPAL GENERA. 

 * Viburnum. * Sambucus [Adoxa, see p. 474]. 



We shall hereafter indicate the affinitie.9 of Cajn-lfoUacetB with ValerianecB and Dipsacece. The 

 affinity with Ruhiace<e is much more obvious ; it is founded on the epigynous isostemonous corolla the 

 several-celled ovary, the axile embryo in a thick fleshy albumen, the opposite leaves and knotty stem. 

 Almost the only difference is in the imbricate corolla and the absence of stipules. The sub-order of 

 SamhtKCCB is closely allied to Cornece, which only differ in the many petals, valvate in bud. The 

 same affinity may be noticed with Araliacece and TJnibellifa-cB ; but these, besides the polypetalous and 

 valvate corolla, differ from Cap-ifoliaeem in the alternate leaves and the umbelled or capitate inflorescence. 

 An analogy has also been pointed out between the Hydrangea (of Saxifragece) and Viburnecs. 



Caprifoliace(s inhabit the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, especially central Asia, the 

 north of India, and of America. A small number [many Viburnums] inhabit the intertropical zone pre- 

 ferring the mountains, where the temperature is colder. The Elder, a cosmopolitan genus, is represented 

 by a very few species in the southern hemisphere. \_Alseuosmia is a New Zealand genus, remarkable for 

 the intensely sweet odour of its flowers]. The flowers of most Caprifoliacece exhale a sweet odour, especially 

 after sunset. They contain an acrid, bitter and astringent principle, which has caused some to b.e placed 

 among medicinal plants. The berries of the Honeysuckle {Lonicera Caprifoliwni) are diuretic; those of 

 i. Xylosteum are laxative. The stems of Biervilla canadensis are employed as a depurative in North 

 America. The roots of the common SympJioricarpos parviflora, a Carolina shrub, are used by the Americans 

 as a febrifuge. All these species are cultivated in European gardens. The common Elder (Sambtieus 

 nigra) produces numerous berries, which are cooked and eaten in Germany [and also extensively used in 

 the manufacture of wine]. Pharmacists prepare from these berries, as also from those of S. Mhulm, an 

 extract, or purgative rob. The dried flowers of the common Elder are an excellent sudorific, employed 

 against snake-bites ; they are also used to give to certain wines a Muscat flavour. 



The Zinntea horealis, an elegant evergreen herb, abounds in the forests of Sweden, the country of 

 Linnseus, to whom it has been dedicated. Swedish doctors recommend its stem and leaves as diuretics 

 and sudorifics. 



