209 



The Tree Rape Family. 



(BALANOPHORACEiE.)* 



Rhizocorms, tliick and fleshy (fungus -like), producing erect 

 stems bearing compact, round, oblong heads or spikes, with 

 numerous inconspicuous flowers enclosed in imbricate bracts. 



This family consists of about 30 known species, arranged 

 under fourteen genera. They are widely distributed, two 

 being found in New Zealand, and one in the south of Europe, 

 such being their extent in latitude. 



Cynomorium coccineum, better known as Fungus Melitensis^ 

 a native of Malta, and also found in Northern Africa, the 

 Canary islands, and Syria. It consists of a fleshy flower- 

 stem about a foot in height, of a red colour. It was origi- 

 nally much valued for its medical virtues, and at Malta, 

 when it first became known, it was specially guarded by a 

 military sentinel, and special persons appointed to collect it. 

 In some parts, as the Island of Lancerrotta, it is eaten by the 

 natives, and as it grows on the roots of Spartium mono- 

 spermum (the juniper of Scripture), may explain the passage 

 in Job,f "juniper roots for their meat," 



Sarcophyte sanguinea. A native of South Africa ; it grows 

 on the roots of Ekehergia Capensis, and has an offensive smell 

 like rotten fish. 



Phyllocoryne (^Cynomorium) Jamaicensis. A native of 

 Jamaica, where it is known by the name of "John Crow's 

 Nose." In the Himalaya the natives convert the hard knots 

 of the species that grows on the maple into drinking-cups. 



* Dr. Hooker places EafBesiacese and Cytinacese after the ament 

 (catkin) flowering families, and Balanophorese in the Evening Prim- 

 rose Family Alliance. 



t Chap. XXX. ver. 4. 



