43° 



ARISTOLOCHIACE.E 



reddish, brittle stems : ovate, hairy leaves, and axillary clusters of 

 small, hairy flowers. The filaments are curiously joined and elas- 

 tic, so that if touched they suddenly spring from their incurved 

 position and shed their pollen. — Old walls ; common. In rural 

 districts an infusion of this plant was once a favourite medicine. 

 — Fl. June— October. Perennial. 



PARIETARIA OFFICINALIS (C, 



Pellitory-of-the-ivall). 



§§ Ovary inferior 



Ord. LXVIII. Aristolochiace/E. — Birthwort Family 



A small group of herbs or shrubs, often climbing, chiefly tropi- 

 cal, being very abundant in South America, but rare elsewhere. 

 They have scattered, simple, exstipulate leaves, and usually soli- 

 tary, axillary, perfect flowers. The perianth is attached to the 

 ovary below, tubular above, with a wide mouth ; stamens 6 — 12, 

 epigynous ; ovary 3 — 6-chambered ; style 1 ; stigmas radiate, equal- 

 ling in number the chambers of the ovary ; fruit 3 — 6-chambered, 

 many-seeded. The plants of this Order are generally bitter, tonic, 

 and stimulant, sometimes acrid or aromatic. The dried and 



