95 Observations on the Flora of Courtallitm. [Aprie, 



From these data, I think we may safely infer, that nearly 

 the whole Order possesses strong tonic and febrifuge proper- 

 ties, and that many of the species may at all times be safely 

 substituted for the better known and more highly esteemed,, 

 but costly, cinchona, in the cure of fever, when it (cinchona) 

 is not procurable. 



VI. JS'ymplieaeece. 



Of this small but beautiful and interesting family, (the 

 water lilies), the flora of Courtallum can only boast of one, or 

 at most two, species. It is a curious circumstance in the 

 history of this Order, that, though found in almost every part 

 of the Northern Hemisphere, it is rare in the Southern, and is 

 almost unknown in South America, 



In an economical point of view little can be said regarding 

 it. Generally I believe over India, the roots dried and roasted 

 are eat by the natives. In some parts of Bengal the seeds 

 also are eaten, sometimes alone, at others powdered and mix- 

 ed with flower. Mr. Royle states that they are occasionally 

 prescribed as a diet by native practitioners in some diseases : 

 and the authors of the Flore Senegambie state, that both the 

 roots and seed are commonly used by the poorer natives of 

 that coast, especially in times of scarcity ; and that the wild 

 hogs come in droves from their coverts during the dry season 

 in search of the roots. 



Botanically considered this Order is one of much interest, 

 and has given rise to many warm discussions among botanists 

 as to its structure and affinity. These it is not my intention 

 to dwell upon. I shall, however, avail myself of the opportu- 

 nity which it affords, of illustrating a not less curious than 

 important botanical fact ; one which has been long observed, 

 though its practical application to science is a recent disco- 

 very. I allude to the doctrine of metamorphosis of organs. 



This doctrine lays it down as an axiom, that different parts 

 of the flower and seed vessel are all modifications of leaves, 

 that under particular circumstances they may, and actually 

 do, revert to their original form, and, lastly, that the complex 

 congeries of parts forming a perfect flower, are the un- 

 developed elements of a branch. According to this view, 

 each segment of the calyx is a modified leaf, and the 



