506 CXXIII. STYLIDIE^. 



The genus Cynnra contains many species, natives of the Mediterranean basin, the leaves of which 

 are bitter and diuretic. The unexpanded capitula of the Common Artichoke (C iScolyrmts) are eaten, 

 as are the leaves of the Cardoon (C. Carduncukis) whenilanched. 



Amongst the Carduacees used in dyeing, the Safflower holds the first place ; it is an Indian plant, now- 

 cultivated throughout the world, the flowers of which give a red dye {carthamine), employed for dyeing 

 silk and cotton, and with which is prepared in Spain a much esteemed paint. The Dyer's Savory(<Sfe)va<«ia 

 tiitctoria) contains a yellow colour of some value. Marigolds contain a bitter mucilage, various salts, and a 

 little volatile oil ; they were formerly celebrated as sudorifics and resolvents in cancerous obstructions. 



The Liguliflorm or CichoracecB possess a milky juice, which contains bitter, resinous, saline, and 

 narcotic principles, the properties of which vary according to their relative proportions. Many of 

 these, if gathered young, before the complete elaboration of the latex, are edible and have a pleasant taste. 

 Their medicinal properties differ according to their development and that of their organs ; thus the obser- 

 vations to be made on them must vary with the season. Amongst the medicinal Cichoraeere, there are 

 some in which the bitter, resinous, gummy and saline ingredients are united in such proportions that the 

 result is highly nutritive. In the first rank must be placed the Dandelion, which is met with through- 

 out Europe and the Mediterranean region. The Wild Chicory (Ciekonum Intyhus) possesses the same 

 properties. The root of the cultivated Chicory is an important article of trade ; it is employed, roasted, 

 powdered and mixed with ground coifee, or used instead of the latter. The blanched leaves are edible. In 

 Salsify ( Tragopogon polif alius) and Scorzonera Idspanica, the bitter of the root is corrected by the mucilage 

 contained in the milky juice, and the root is edible. 



The species of Lactuca have a bitter acrid juice with a poisonous smell; they contain wax, india- 

 rubber, albumine, a resin, and a bitter crystallizable matter, with a peculiar volatile principle. It is to 

 tliese diiferent substances that they owe their medicinal properties. The thickened juice of the cultivated 

 Lettuce, called thridace, is used as a narcotic, and preferred to opium in Ciises where there is reason to 

 fear the stupifying action of the latter. The young leaves of the same species, which do not yet contain 

 the milk}' juice, are much used as food. 



CXXIII. STYLTDTE^. 

 (Sttlide^, R. Br. — STTLiDiAOE.iB, Lindl.) 



Corolla epigynous, monopetalous, anisostemonous, wstivation imhricate. Stamens 

 united to the style. Ovaet with two many-ovuled cells ; ovules ascending, anatropous. 

 Embryo albuminous. 



Annual or perennial plants, usually herbaceous, sometimes woody below. 

 Leaves simple, entire, exstipulate; cauline scattered, rarely wborled; radical in tufts. 

 Flowers perfect, irregular, in a spike raceme or corymb, pedicels usually 3-bracteate. 

 Calyx persistemt, usually bilabiate, lower lip 2-fid or -toothed, upper lip 3-fid or 

 -toothed. Corolla monopetalous, irregular, tube short, limb 5-fid, 4 lobes large 

 spreading, the. fifth {lip) smaller, spreading or depressed, at first anterior, then be- 

 coming lateral through the torsion of the tube, to which it is sometimes attached by 

 an irritable joint. Stamens 2, parallel, inserted on a glandular disk crowniug the 

 ovary ; filaments united into a column with the style, which is sometimes erect and 

 continuous, sometime^ with two bends, the lower of which is irritable; anthers 

 forming 2 cells on the top of the column, and embracing the stigmas. Ovary, in- 

 ferior, more or less completely 2-celled, septum parallel to the calyx-lips ; stigma 

 obtuse, sometimes undivided, hidden between the anthers, sometimes divided into 



