78 
Tlie following is the distribution of the species according to Choisy : — Europe 
19 ; North America, 41 ; South America, 21 ; West Indies, 1 ; Asia, 24 ; 
New Holland, 5 ; Africa and the neighbouring islands, 7 ; Azores and Cana- 
ries, 5 ; common to Europe and Asia, 4 ; common to Europe, Asia, and Africa, 
1. {Choisy Prodr. 1821.) Many, have however, to be added for Asia and 
South America. 
Properties. The juice of many species is shghtly purgative and febrifu- 
gal. In the European species this yellow juice being in small proportion to 
the essential od, and the rest of the vegetable matter, they have been used as 
tonics and astringents ; especially H. perforatum and H. Androssemum. Some 
of the American species of the order are possessed of a more copious yellow juice, 
and more energetic properties ; that obtained from Vismia guianensis, a Mexican 
and Surinam tree, is known in commerce and called American Gummi Gutta. 
Royles Illustr. 131. Hypericum hircinum is foetid. A gargle for sore throats 
is prepared in Brazil from the Hypericum connatum, commonly called Orelha 
de Goto. PI. Us. 61. A decoction of the leaves of another species, Hyperi- 
cum laxiuscidum, or Allecrim hraho, is reputed in the same country to be a 
specific against the bites of serpents. Ib. 62. 
GENERA. 
§ 1. Hyperice^, DC. Sarothra, L. 
Ascyrum, L. Triadenium, Rafin. 
Hypericoides, Adans. Elodea, Pursh. 
Lancretia, DC. Martia, Spreng. 
Cratoxylon, Blume. Androssemum, All. 
Hypericum, L. 
Brathys, Mut. 
§ 2. Vismia, DC. Monoporina, I.S.Prsl. 
Vismia, Vand. Scyphcea,C. B.Fresl. 
Haronga, Pet. Thou. § 3. CarpodontejE, 
Harongana, Lam. Bartl. 
Arongana, Pers. Carpodontos, La Bill. 
Hcemocarpus, Noron. Eucryphiaj Cav. 
Godoya, R. et P. 
Sub-Order? OCHRANTHACE^. 
In the Botanical Register , t. 1819 (Dec. 1835), I have described a plant 
called Ochranthe, which agrees with Hypericaceee in having imbricated sepals, 
hypogynous petals and stamens, partly disjoined carpels, and in some degree 
in habit, but which differs in having definite stamens (5), stipules, and serrated 
leaves. Its fruit is unknown. To what order it really ought to be referred is 
uncertain ; but it appears to me so very remarkable a plant as to indicate very 
strong traces of a peculiar assemblage. 
GENUS. 
Ochranthe, Lindl. 
Alliance II. THEALES. 
Essential Character. — Stamens indefinite in number. Albumen absent in the seeds. 
The petals and sepals not equal to each other in number, but gradually passing the one 
into the other. 
Here we have a kind of transition from Guttales to Acerales. Saurauja 
approaches Sapindacese in the panicled inflorescence and general character. 
