BOTANY AND PLANT ECONOMICS 119 
oides), the What-o-Clock (Jacaranda caerulea) of the Bahama 
Islands, and the Nymph’s Comb (Pithecoctenium Aubletii) of 
Central America. Note in the latter fruit, the beautiful winged 
seeds (see also Case 31) and the extraordinary manner of their 
“packing” in the fruit. Note also Calabashes, the highly useful 
fruits of the Calabash Tree (Crescentia Cujete) of the American 
tropics, and the long, thin, bast fiber Tanary from the inner bark 
of Tecoma leucoxylon used in Brazil in lieu of paper. 
The Elder Family (Caprifoliacecu) , 
Case 502. — Observe the berry-like fruits, characterizing this 
family, as represented by Coralberry (Symphoricarpos symphori- 
carpos) and Laurestinus {Viburnum tinus). Note the medicinal 
barks and roots; yarns dyed green by the fresh berries of the 
European Elder (Sambucus nigra) ; and the dried flowers of the 
American Elder {S. canadensis) used as an infantile remedy. 
The Teasel Family (Dipsacacece) . 
Case 502. — Note the cylindric, prickly fruits of the Teasel 
(Dipsacus sylvestris) , formerly utilized to a very large extent in 
“carding” wool for spinning. 
The Valerian Family (Valerianacece). 
Case 502. — Note the various forms of Valerian, the root of 
several species of Valeriana^ a noted remedy for hysteria and 
spasmodic attacks. 
The Melon Family (Cucurbitacecu) . 
Cases 502 and 503. — A large family of twining or climbing 
tendril-bearing plants characterized by the Squash, Pumpkin, 
Melon and Cucumber plants. Note the mostly globular fruits of 
the family as exemplified in the Balsam Apple (Micrampelis 
lobata) of our hedge rows and waste grounds, and the charac- 
teristic oval, flat seeds shown in many species. Note the Col- 
ocynth Apples {Citrullus colocynthis) a valuable drug from 
Africa; the vegetable Sponges {Luff a cylindrica) ; and the exam- 
ples of varied uses of the cellular fiber; and the thick, oily seeds 
of the Secua {Fevillea trilobata) and Canole {F. scan dens) of 
northern South America. 
