The Natural System of Botany. 



hundred, of which three-fourths are natives of the Northern 

 Hemisphere. 



Order, Araliaceje — The Aralia Tribe. 



This is a small order, whose botanical characters differs lit- 

 tle from those of the Umbelliferae. The principal points of dis- 

 tinction are in the ovary, whose carpels are more than two, 

 which do not separate when ripe, but become a berry, having 

 several one-seeded cells. The properties of the order are 

 tonic and aromatic. Several American plants in common use 

 belong here ; as the several species of Aralia, variously called 

 Wild Sarsaparilla, Spikenard, and Pettymorrel, which are in 

 demand for flavoring beer, and the Ginseng, which hag been in 

 some estimation as a medicine. 



Order, Cornace^e — The Cornus Tribe. 



These are small trees or shrubs, inhabiting temperate coun- 

 tries. The flowers are in cymes, or in small heads, surrounded 

 with a white or colored involucre. The limb of the calyx is 

 small, and four or five-toothed, adhering to the ovary. The 

 petals and stamens are the same in number, and alternate with 

 each other. The fruit is a two-celled drupe. The only North 

 American genus is Cornus, the species of which, under the 

 name of Dogwood, are common in all our northern forests, 

 where in spring, they form Very' conspicuous objects, with their 

 large, white, showy involucres. They contain a peculiar prin- 

 ciple, called Carnine, which renders their bark bitter, tonic 

 and astringent. That of Cornus Florida has been used success- 

 fully in place of Cinchona. 



Order, Loranthace^e — The Misseltoe Tribe. 



These plants chiefly deserve notice on account of their singu- 

 la! habits. They are nearly all parasitic, inserting their roots 

 into the bark of trees, and drawing nourishment from their sap. 

 The calyx is undivided, the petals and stamens are from ,four 

 to eight. The ovary is one celled, the style single, or wanting, 

 and the fruit a berry. Sometimes the flowers are imperfect, 



