CLXIX. SESAMES. 



607 



RueUia patula. 

 Seed (mag.). 



R%iellia. 

 Seed cut vertically (mag.). 



AcanthacecB approach Zabiatce and Verbenaceee in tlie irregular anisostemonous corolla and its 

 sestiyation, and exalbuminous embryo with descending radicle and opposite leaves ; they are separated by 

 the curved ovules, capsular fruit -with compressed valves, and retinacula. We have indicated their affinity 

 with Sorophularineee and Bignoniacem (which see). 



This family almost exclusively inhabits the tropics. 



Acanthacece furnish no species to European medicine. They contain, however, an abundant 

 mucilage, sometimes combined with a bitter principle; others are somewhat acrid, others contain a 

 stimulating volatile oil. The mucilaginous Aeanthanece are employed in India as emollients and bechics ; 

 the bitter species are reported tonics and febrifuges ; the acrid are considered to excite the functions 

 of the skin and of the mucous membrane. Some are dyes [especially a Bengal Huellia, which pro- 

 duces the blue Room dye of India. Gendanissa vulgaris is in India a famed cure for rheumatism, 

 it is also a febrifuge, and its dried leaves preserve clothes from insects. The popular French tonic, 

 drogiie am^re, is the tincture oi Jttsticia paniculata. — Ed.]. 



CLXIX. SESAME JE. 



(Pbdaline^, B. Br. — SESAMEiE, Eunth. — Maettniace^, LinJc.) 



Corolla hypogynous, monopetalous, irregular, usually anisostemonous, wstivation 

 imbricate. Stameits generally 4, didynamous, inserted on the corolla; anther-cells 

 2, shorter than the connective, glandular at the top. Oyart 2- 4- or 1-celled, girt at 

 the hase hy a glandular dish ; ovules anatropous. Fruit a capsule, drupe or nucule. 

 Embryo straight, exalbuminous or sub-exaliuminous. 



Herbs with, vesicular glands. Leaves opposite or alternate, simple, exstipu- 

 late. Flowers g , irregular, axillary, solitary, or racemed or spiked, usually 

 2-bracteolate. Calyx 5-partite or -fid, almost equal, sometimes split on one side 



