A L I S M A C E M. 



617 



Fig. 277. 



under the name of Arum. It is indigenous to most parts of the United States, 

 growing in damp, shady situations, and is known by the names of Indian 

 Turnip, Dragon Root, &c. Every part of the plant is acrid, but more es- 

 pecially the corm, which leaves a burning, caustic sensation in the mouth on 

 being chewed. As in most of the tribe, the acrid principle is volatile, and 

 destructible by heat or drying. The fecula of the dried corm is a pure 

 and excellent arrow-root. In the recent or partially dried state it has been 

 used as a carminative stimulant, in flatulence, colic, &c, and has also been 

 thought beneficial in chronic bronchitis, in a case of which Dr. Carson states 

 that he found it of service (Pereira, ii. 86). It has been employed in aphthous 

 sore mouth, in rheumatic pains, &c. 



Tribe 3. Caladiceje. — Stamens and pistils numerous, conti- 

 guous or separated by rudimentary bodies. Spadix usually 

 naked at point. Cells of anthers with a thick connectivum. 



Caladium bicohr is said to be cathartic and anthel- 

 mintic in a fresh state ; but the corm is esculent when 

 cooked, as are also those of Xanthosoma sagiUifolia, 

 and of Peltandra virginica ;' but both are too acrid to 

 be employed in a recent state. Various species otPhyl- 

 lodendron have a turbid, acrid juice, which is used in 

 Brazil to cleanse foul ulcers. They are also employed 

 for many other purposes by the natives. The species 

 of Colocasia are much less imbued with this acrid 

 principle, and in most of them simple coction is suffi- 

 cient to render their corms edible and healthy food. 

 Thus in the East and West Indies, and in our South- 

 ern States, C. esculenta, antiquorwn, mucronata, &c, 

 are a common garden vegetable under the names of 

 Cocos, Eddocs, &c. In the Himalayas, C. himalensis forms the principal 

 sustenance of the inhabitants. In its recent state the root is stimulant, di- 

 aphoretic, and expectorant. In the South Sea Islands, C. macrorhiza is 

 known by the name of Tara or Kupah, and is a main article of diet. 



Tribe 4. Anapore.e. — Stamens and pistils numerous, contiguous, usually with rudi- 

 mentary bodies intermixed. Point of spadix seldom naked. Cells of anthers immersed 

 in the thick, fleshy connectivum. 



Little is known of the properties of most of the species of this tribe, though 

 it is probable they are very active. The virulent nature of Dieffenbachia 

 has already been noticed. In Homalomena aromatica the acridity is modi- 

 fied by the presence of an aromatic principle, which renders the odour of the 

 rhizome very pleasant, somewhat resembling that of Ginger. It is highly- 

 prized in India for its stimulating medicinal virtues, and commands a high 

 price. 



C. antiquorum. 



Group XLIV. — Alismales. 



Order 106.— ALISMACE^.— Lindley. 



Sepals 3, herbaceous. Petals 3. Stamens definite or indefinite. Anthers introrse. 

 Ovaries several, superior, 1-celled. Ovules erect or ascending, solitary or 2, attached to 

 the suture, distant from each other, anatropal or campylotropal. Styles and stigmas as 

 many as ovaries. Fruit dry, 1 — 2-seeded. Seeds exalbuminous, hooked. Embryo of a 

 horse-shoe shape, undivided. 



