XLVI. PONTBDEEIACE^. 8C5 



Juiicet^ inhabit damp meadows and swamps, or grassy and woody mountain regions ; they are scarce 

 in dry ground. They mostly grow in north temperate latitudes, and some species advance to both polar 

 regions ; they become rarer as we approach the equator. Juncus and Luzula are cosmopolitan, and are 

 met with on the highest mountains of both worlds. Frionium is South African ; Roslkoma inhabits 

 the Maganellic lands [and New Zealand]. 



The properties of Juncets are uninteresting. The fruit of Juncus acuhis, baked and steeped in wine, is 

 said to be a diuretic, and to stop menorrhagia, but it gives headaches. The rhizomes of J. conglomerah(s, 

 effusus, fflauozcs, and especially of Luzula vei-nalis, are popular diuretics in Central Europe. J. glaucus is 

 cultivated by gardeners to make bands of. The Chinese use the pith of certain species for candle-wicks. 

 [The farthing rushlight of England had a wick of rush pith.] 



XLV. RAPATE^,' Endlicher. 



[Perennial usually tall marsli hbkbs. Eootstook short. Leaves equitant, 

 ensiform, rigid, base slieatliing. Scapes erect. Spathe 1-2-leaved. Ploweks 

 5 , in a dense terminal spathaceous capitulum. Yellow or rose-coloured, sessile 

 or pediceUed, with many imbricate bracts. Pbkianth 6-partite ; 3 outer leaflets 

 navicular, rigid, imbricate ; 3 inner petaloid, fugacious, often cohering in a tube, 

 contorted in aestivation. Stamens 6, inserted in pairs opposite the inner perianth- 

 segments ; anthers basifixed, 2-celled ; apex tubular, opening by a terminal single 

 or double pore, or terminated by a poUiniferous or sub-glandular appendage. 

 OvAKY 3- celled; style simple, filiform; stigma capitate, papillose ; ovules 1-2 in each 

 cell, erect, anatropous. Capsule membranous or coriaceous, 1-3-celled, loculicidally 

 2-3-valved. Seeds oblong or sub-globose ; hilum basilar ; albumen fleshy. Embryo 

 immersed in the albumen, minute ; radicle next the hilum. 



geneea. 



Rapatea. Spathanthus. Schoenocephalum. 



A small order allied to Juncece, with the habit of Cyperacece, very peculiar anthers, and the perianth 

 oiXyridecs. Natives of Brazil; of no known use.— Ed.] 



XLVI. PONTEDERIACE^. 



(Pontedeeiaob^, a. Bichard. — PoNTEDERBiE, Kunth.) 



Flowers g. Perianth inferior, petaloid, 6-partite, irregular, persistent. 

 Stamens inserted on the perianth, 6, or 3 opposite to the inner segments. Ovary 

 superior, of 3 many-ovuled cells, or 2 sterile, and 1 fertile and 1-ovuled. Peuit a 

 capsule, enveloped by the fleshy perianth. Albumen farinaceous. Embryo straight, 

 axile.— Marsh plants. Stem herbaceous. Leaves alternate, with sheathing petiole. 



Perennial aquatic or marsh herbs, with a Short rhizome or rooting stem. 

 Leaves alternate ; petiole cylindric or vesicular, largely sheathing at the base ; blade 



' This Order la omitted in the original.— Er. 

 3 K 



