297 
it is distinguished by its regular flowers, the stamens of which are equal 
to the lobes of the corolla, and from the former by the dehiscence of the 
capsule and the placentation of the seeds ; and, on the other hand, to cer- 
tain Apocynaceae. From Scrophulariacese it is frequently difficult to distinguish 
this order, especially if the flowers are absent ; Loganiacese and Spigeliacese 
are also very closely allied. For remarks on the three last, see those orders 
respectively. Von Martins, points out some differences between Gentianacese 
and Scrophulariaceae, and their allies, which will further assist in distinguishv 
ing them. No Gentianacese, except Tachia, have a hypogynous disk ; and 
the two carpellary leaves of which the fruit is formed are lateral, or right and 
left with respect to the common axis of the inflorescence, their placentae be- 
ing consequently anterior and posterior ; but in Scrophulariaceae, Gesnera- 
ceae, Bignoniaceae, Acanthaceae, and their allies, a hypogynous disk is very 
common in the shape of a fleshy ring, or of glands, or teeth, and the two 
carpellary leaves are anterior and posterior, the dissepiment being conse- 
quently in the same transverse line as that which separates the upper from 
the lower lip. Menyanthes and Villarsia have been sometimes considered 
the type of a small order distinguished by the alternate and sometimes com- 
pound toothed leaves, but Royle has an alternate leaved Swertia. {Illustr.^. 
277. t. 67. 2.) Von Martius excludes them absolutely ; Brown places them at 
the end of the order : it will be seen, further on, that the properties of these 
plants are absolutely the same as those of Gentianacese. Crawfurdia seems to 
connect this order with Convolvulacese and Polemoniacese ; and Leiphaimos a 
parasitical, scaly, leafless species offers an unexpected transition to Oroban- 
chacese. A clear natural relation even to Cinchonacese is demonstrated by the 
circumstance of Mitreola and Houstonia having both been mistaken by good 
botanists for Cinchonaceous plants. 
Geography.. A numerous order of herbaceous plants, extending over 
almost all parts of the world, from the regions of perpetual snow upon the sum- 
mits of the mountains of Europe, to the hottest sands of South America and 
India. They, however, do not appear in the Flora of IMelville Island ; but 
they form part of that of the Straits of Magellan. 
Properties. The intense bitterness of the Gentian is a characteristic of 
the whole order ; it resides both in the stems and roots, and renders them to- 
nic, stomachic, and febrifugal ; and it is very remarkable that there are 
“no exceptions to these properties in the whole order, as it is now limited. 
The principal species enumerated by De Candolle are, Gentiana lutea, em- 
ployed in France and England ; G. rubra, substituted for it in Germany ; G.- 
pui*purea in Norway ; G. amarella, campestris, cruciata, Chlora perfoliata, G. 
peruviana, called Cachen in Peru, G. Chirita (Agathotes, Don), a famous sto- 
machic of the East Indies, and Coutoubea alba and purpurea. The root of 
Gentiana lutea, notwithstanding its bitterness, contains a considerable propor- 
tion of sugar ; it is, on this account, sometimes manufactured into brandy, for 
which purpose it is exported from some parts of Switzerland. Menyanthes 
trifoliata and Villarsia nymphoides are bitter, tonic, and febrifugal ; and the 
same has been remarked of Villarsia ovata. Essai Med. 216. Sabbatia an- 
gularis is held in estimation in North America for its pure bitter, tonic, and 
stomachic virtues. Barton, 1. 259. The root of Frazera Walteri is a pure, 
powerful, and excellent bitter, destitute of aroma. It is accounted in North 
America not inferior to the Gentian or Calumbo of their shops. In its re- 
cent state it is said to possess considerable emetic and cathartic powers. Ibid. 
2. 109. The roots of Lisianthus pendulus are used by the Brazilians in de- 
coction as a febrifuge ; they are intensely bitter. Tachia guianensis exudes 
little yellow drops of pellucid resin from the axils of the leaves ; its bitter root 
is used as a febrifuge. Von Martius. 
