Dicotyledons with Incomplete Flowers. 
Natural Order 
ARISTOLOCHIACE^E. Tab. 75. 
D IAGNOSIS. — H erbs or climbing shrubs with alternate leaves. Perianth 
epigynous. Stamens usually 6-12, epigynous or gynandrous. Ovary inferior, 
3-6-celled. 
Distribution.—A small Natural Order, widely dispersed through warmer regions of both 
Hemispheres ; most numerous in Tropical America. Several species are European. 
Number of British Genera, 2 ; Species, 2 (one introduced). 
Perianth regular, with a three-lobed valvate limb in Asarabacca (Asarum), tubular, dilated around the stigma, 
and with the limb variously oblique in Birthworts (Aristolochico). 
Stamens epigynous, 12, free with distinct filaments, extrorse anthers and a subulate connective in Asarabacca; 
6 , gynandrous and wholly adnate to the column in Birthworts. 
FRUIT a capsule, 6 -valved in Birthworts. 
USES, &c.—The root of two or three American species has a reputation as an antidote to the poison of snake¬ 
bites. Many species are stimulant and used medicinally in their respective countries. The North American 
Aristolochia Sipho is a common climber, with large cordiform leaves, cultivated in our gardens, and in hot-houses a 
few tropical species with large lurid perianths are met with. 
NEPENTHACEAE—A very small exotic Natural Order, like Aristolochiacese without near affinity with any 
other known Order, characterised by climbing habit,, leaves bearing long prolongations of the midrib terminating in 
remarkable pitcher-shaped glands secreting fluid inside (hence the name Pitcher-plants applied to the group), and 
terminal racemes of unisexual flowers. 
