CALTJMBA OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 79 



nial tufted grass, native of India. It yields an aromatic oil 

 used in perfumery. 



Calceolaria, a now familiar botanical name for a genus 

 of plants of the Figwort family (Scroplmlariacess), containing 

 many species, annuals, perennials, or herbaceous plants not 

 exceeding 1 to 2 feet in height; the greater number have yellow 

 flowers, a few purple. They are great favourites as greenhouse 

 plants, as w^ell as for summer flower-beds, and many fine hybrid 

 varieties have been raised. They are all natives of South 

 America, and are of modern introduction. Fifty years ago the 

 only species known were C. ;pinnata and C, FotJiergilUL The 

 latter, a native of the Falkland Islands, is among the prettiest 

 of wild flowers on that inhospitable group. The name Calceo- 

 laria, which is derived from calceus, a little slipper, is given on 

 account of the lower lip of the flowers being in the form of a 

 shoe or pouch. 



Oallopisma, a genus of herbs of the Gentian family (Gentia- 

 nace^), of which two species are mentioned by Dr. Gardner as 

 making the fields gay about Goyaz, a province of Brazil. It is 

 highly bitter, and is used by the natives as a tonic, and in fevers. 

 It is collected when in full flower, and bundles of it are to be 

 seen hanging up to dry against almost every house. 



Caltrops {Trilulus terrestris), a low trailing aimual plant 

 with conjugate leaves, and capsular spiny fruit of the Bean 

 Caper family (Zygophyllaceae), native of Southern Europe and 

 Syria. When perfect, the spines of the fruit are hard and stiff, 

 and are a great annoyance to the incautious traveller, hence the 

 English name Caltrops ; and it is supposed by some to be the 

 thistles of St. Matthew, who says — " Do men gather grapes of 

 thorns or figs of thistles ?" 



Caltrops, Water. (See Chestnut, Water.) 

 Oalumba, American {iTazera Walteri), a biennial herb of 

 the Gentian family (Gentianacese), native of North America. 

 Its root is an excellent bitter, equal to that of Gentian ; but if 

 taken in excess it is emetic and cathartic. It has been imported 

 to this country under the name of American Calumba Eoot. 



