291 
laria, are vei*y closely allied to Scropliularinece, having the same calyx, corolla, 
stamina, bivaJved capsule, and albuminous seeds, but distinguished solely by 
their really unilocular fruit, with a free central placenta, and the minuteness of 
their embryo. In respect of their former character, they come very near to Li- 
mosella, Lindernia, and other Gratiolese, with parallel dissepiments and entire 
valves ; for in these plants the dissepiment is very thin, and usually detaches 
itself from the valves before maturity, so that being concealed by the seeds, 
which fill nearly the whole capsule, it often escapes observation, and many of 
these genera have frequently been described as having an uniloculai* fruit. 
“ From the latter consideration it has been usual, however, to refer these 
supposed unilocular genera to Primulacese : an order perfectly well marked by 
a very different and a much more important character, that of the situation of 
the stamens, which are opposed to, not alternate with the petals, shewing them 
to belong to the inner set of a double series of stamina, whereas in Scrophulari- 
neae the stamina are constantly alternate with the petals, and if the normal num- 
ber be reaUy double that of the petals, it is the inner series that is constantly 
abortive, leaving, as far as has been hitherto observed, no trace in any in- 
stance, unless, indeed, the deeply cleft disk, described by Martins as encircling 
the ovarium in Herpestis lanigera, or the scales in the tube of the corolla of Ar- 
tanema, be considered as abortive stamina. Schwenckia, hitherto referred to 
Scrophularinese, has the stamina constantly opposed to the petals, as observed 
by Dr. Lindley upon living specimens, and which at his suggestion I have ve- 
rified upon dried specimens of several didynamous as well as pentandrous spe- 
cies. It is, therefore, unquestionably referable to Primulacese, and the glan- 
dular processes alternating with the petals may be considered probably as abor- 
tive stamina of the inner series, analogous to those of Samolus. 
It may be scarcely necessary to mention Gentianeae among the affinities 
of Scrophularinese, as their symmetrical flowers and the position of the caiq)els 
forming the fruit, which when only two in number are perpendicular to the 
axis, not parallel to it, as in Scrophularineae, mark them out at once. Disan- 
dra, an anomalous genus of Scrophularineae, has something the habit of Vil- 
larsia, but I have not had an opportunity of examining sufficiently good spe- 
cimens to form any opinion as to its real situation.” 
Geography. Found in abundance in all parts of the world, from the 
coldest regions in which the vegetation of flowering plants takes place, to the 
hottest places within the tropics. One species is found in Melville Island ; 
in the middle of Europe they form about a 26th of the flowering plants, and 
in North America about a 36th. In all India, New Holland, and South Ame- 
rica, they are common, and, finally, the sterile shores of Tierra del Fuego are 
ornamented with several species. 
Properties. Generally acrid, bitterish, suspected plants. The leaves and 
roots of Scrophularia aquatica, and perhaps nodosa, of Gratiola officinalis and 
peruviana, and of Calceolaria, act as purgatives, or even as emetics. In Digi- 
talis, which is in many respects very near Solaneae, this quality is so much in- 
creased, that its effects become highly dangerous. The powffiered leaves, or 
an extract of them, produce vomiting, dejection, and vertigo, increase the se- 
cretion of the saliva and urine, lower the pulse, and even cause death. DC. 
According to Vauquelin, the purgative quality of Gratiola depends upon the 
presence of a peculiar substance, analogous to resin, but differing in being so- 
luble in hot water. The leaves of Mimulus guttatus are eatable as salad. 
The juice of the leaves of Torenia asiatica are considered, on the Malabar 
coast, a cure for gonorrhoea. Ainslte, 2. 122. An infusion of Scoparia dulcis 
is used by the Indians of Spanish America to cure agues. Humboldt Cinch. 
Forests, 22. Eng. ed. Euphrasia officinalis is slightly bitter and aromatic, 
and was formerly employed in diseases of the eye, but is now disused. Cows 
