CCXIII. LOEANTHACE^. 



721 



pous, often reduced to the nucleus or the embryonic sac, erect, solitary, or accom- 

 panied by 2 rudimentary ovules. Beeky 1-seeded. Seed erect; albumen fleshy, 

 copious. Embeto (often several) axile, or inserted in an excentric cavity of the 

 albumen, peripheric or lateral, clavate, straight or arched ; cotyledons somevrhat fleshy, 

 obtuse, sometimes coherent ; radicle thick, superior. 



Arceuthobiura, 

 Lepidoceraa. 



PEINCIPAL GENERA. 

 Lorantlius. _ Tapela. 



Nuytsia. 



Loranthus. 



Yiscum. 

 Erytbranthua. 



LoranthacecB are closely allied to Santalacece : in botb, besides the important analogy founded on 

 parasitism, the aestivation is'-valvate, the flower is isostemonous, the stamens are epigynous and opposite 

 to the sepals, the ovary is inferior and 1-ceIled, the ovule is reduced to the embryonic sac, the albumen is 

 fleshy, and the leaves are entire, coriaceous and exstipulate. Lnranthacece also approach Proteacea in the 

 valvate sestivation, isostemony, 1-celled ovary, &c. 



JLoranthacecs are mostly tropical, but some inhabit temperate and cool regions of the northern, and 

 still more of southern temperate latitudes. Three genera are represented in Europe : the Mistleto 

 {Viscum album) lives principally on Apple-trees and Poplars, although it scarcely objects to any tree or 

 shrub, and even attaches itself to Loranthus europcBus, which is itself parasitic on Oaks and Chesuuts. 

 Arceuthohium grows on the Juniper. The dissemination of LoranthacecB is mostly effected by birds, which 

 feed on their berries, and drop on the trees the undigested seeds. In Aroeuthohium the seed is projected 

 from the fruit by a peculiar contractile force. 



The fruit of Loranthacea contains Birdlime, a peculiar viscous, tenacious and elastic substance, 

 between resin and india-rubber ; it exists in other plants (Holly), but that of Loranthacece, and especially 

 of Viscum album and Lm-anthus alhus, is the best. Its abundance depends on the stock on which the 

 Mistleto grows. The most suitable are the Maple and Elm, next the Birch and Service, and then the 

 Apple and Pear, &c. 



Many species of Loranthus are used medicinally by the Brazilians, who prepare with the young 

 shoots and leaves of L. citrocolus an ointment much praised as a cure of cedematous tumours ; L. globosus, 

 elasticus, and longiflorits are similarly used in India. L. hicolor is a reputed antisyphilitie. The leaves of 

 L. rotundifdius, cooked in milk, are recommended in BrazU.for diseases of the chest. The leaves of the 

 Mistleto, formerly used as antispasmodics and antiepileptics, have long fallen into disuse. This plant 

 was worshipped by the ancient Gauls, who saw a mysterious emblem in a shrub vegetating and 

 propagating its kind without touching the earth. When gathered from the Oak it was held sacred by the 

 Druids. 



Intbemediate Gekus. 

 MT80DENDB0N, Banks. 



Mysodcidron punctulaium. 



Mysodendron. 

 Flower, entire and cut vertically (mag.). 



3 a 



Mysodendrjii, 9 plant. 



