1 
66 
explained the constantly trilocular state of that Moringa. To this, however,, 
there are numerous and grave objections, which cannot fail to strike every 
botanist. What its proper station should be remains to be determined. I con- 
fess I place it here, because I know of no better station, and because it accords 
with the verbal character of this group. Decaisne seems to think it has more 
affinity with Leguminosse than with any other order. 
Geography. Natives of the East Indies- and Arabia. 
Properties. The root of the Moringa pterygosperma has a pungent odour, 
with a warm, biting, and somewhat aromatic taste ; it is used as a stimulant 
in paralytic affections and intermittent fever ; it is also employed as a rubefa- 
cient. Ainslie, 1. 175. The nuts (seeds) of this plant, cdled by the French 
pois queniques and chicoty have been used in venere^ affections. Ibid. They 
are the Ben-nuts of old writers, from which the oil of Ben was extracted, for- 
merly more famed than at present. The flowers, leaves, and tender seed-ves- 
sels, are eaten by the natives of India in their curries. Royle. 
GENERA. 
Moringa, Burm. 
Hyperanthera, W. 
Alandina, Neck. 
Order XLVI. DROSERACE^. The Sundew Tribe. 
DRosERACEiE, DC. Thiorie, 214. (1819) ; Prodr. 1. 317. (1824) ; Lindl. Synops. 38. (1829). 
Essential Character. — Sepals 5, persistent, equal, with an imbricate sestivation. 
Petals 5, hypogynous. Stamens distinct, withering, either equal in number to the petals 
and alternate with them, or 2, 3, or 4 times as many. Ovary single; styles 3-5, either 
wholly distinct, or slightly connected at the base, bifid or branched. Capsule of 3 or 5 
valves, which bear the placentae either in the middle or at their base, and sometimes turn in 
their edges so as to form almost perfect dissepiments. Seeds either naked or furnished 
with aril. Embryo straight, erect in the axis of a fleshy or cartilaginous albumen. Cotyle- 
dons rather thick. — Delicate herbaceous plants, often covered with glands. Leaves alter- 
nate, with stipulary fringes and a circinate vernation. Peduncles, when young, circinate. 
Anomalies. The anthers of Byblis and Roridula open by pores. 
Affinities. Nearly allied to Violacese, from which their circinate verna- 
tion, several styles, and extipulate leaves, distinguish them. They are also no 
doubt related to Saxifragaceae, and these two orders are chiefly distinguished 
by their vernation and placentation ; but in the latter respect Parnassia among 
Saxifragaceae accords with Droseraceae. Droseraceae are also allied to Sarra- 
ceniaceae : see that order. 
Geography. At the Cape of Good Hope, in South America, North 
America, New Holland, China, Europe, Madagascar, the East Indies, 
wherever there are marshes or morasses, these plants are found. Drosophyl- 
lum lusitanicum is remarkable for growing on the barren sands of Portugal. 
Properties. The common Droseras are rather acid, slightly acrid, and, 
according to some, poisonous to cattle. The Drosera communis of Brazil is 
said by A. de St. Hilaire to be poisonous to sheep. PI. Usuelles, no. 15. 
Drosera muscipula has viscous leaves with glandular fringes, which close upon 
flies and other insects that happen to alight upon them. It is probable it would 
yield a valuable dye. Royle. 
GENERA. 
Byblis, Salisb. Drosera, L. Drosophyllum, Link. 
Aldrovaiida, Monti. Roridula, L. Bohadschia, Presl. 
