Seeds numerous; embryo taper, or minute, in the base of mealy albumen.

USES.-The sub-acid fragrant fruit of Ananassa sativa is the well-known Pine-apple. The dry filamentous stems of Tillandsia usneoides are used in tropical countries for stuffing

mattresses.

TYPICAL GENERA.-Bromelia, Tillandsia.

168.-Smilacea. Herbaceous plants or under-shrubs, with a tendency to climb. Stems woody. Flowers hermaphrodite or diœcious. Calyx and corolla inferior, 6-parted. Stamens 6. Ovary 3-celled; stigmas 3. Fruit a roundish berry. Albumen between fleshy and cartilaginous.

USES.-The diuretic demulcent called Sarsaparilla is the root of several species; others have a large fleshy root possessing similar properties, and called China radix it appears to be nutritious. The leaves of Smilax glycyphylla are bittersweet, and are used for tea in New Holland.

Smilax glycyphylla. 1. A male flower seen from above. 2. A female flower. 3. A transverse section of an ovary. 4. A seed. 5. A section of a seed, showing the embryo.

169.-Liliacea. Roots fibrous or fasciculate. Stem none; a bulb; or tuberous, or creeping, or arborescent. Calyx and corolla inferior, coloured, regular. Stamens 6. Anthers open

ing inwards. Ovary 3-celled; stigma simple, or 3-lobed. Fruit 3-celled. Embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen.

USES.-Asparagus is the young shoots of Asparagus officinalis. Squills, so well known for their expectorant, emetic, and diuretic qualities, are the roots of Squilla maritima. What are called Alliaceous plants are found here in the form of Garlic, Onions, Chives, Leeks, and Rocambole, all species of Allium. The purgative drug Aloes is an extract from Aloe socotrina and other species. The Dragon-tree of Teneriffe is an arborescent form of the order, and yields an astringent substance called Gum Dragon.

TYPICAL GENERA.-Tulipa, Fritillaria, Hyacinthus.

2

3

Arthropodium paniculatum. 1. A flower magnified. 2. A ripe capsule. 3. A transverse section of it. 4. A vertical section of a seed.

170.- Melanthacea, Roots fibrous, sometimes fascicled. Rhizoma sometimes a fleshy corm. Leaves sheathing at the

Stamens

base. Perianth inferior, in 6 pieces, or tubular. 6; anthers opening outwards. Ovary 3-celled, many-seeded; style trifid or 3-parted. Capsule divisible into 3 pieces. Albumen dense, fleshy.

USES.-Poisonous plants. Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale) is an acrid narcotic and cathartic. White Hellebore the root of Veratrum album, Cebadilla produced by Asagræa officinalis, and the roots of various kinds of Trillium and Helonias, possess similar properties.

TYPICAL GENERA.-Veratrum, Colchicum.

2

5

Colchicum autumnale. 1. A corm in flower. 2. The same stripped of its outer coats, and showing the ovaries after the floral envelopes are cut away. 3. A transverse section of the ovaries. 4. A ripe capsule. 5. A section of a seed. 6. The flower cut open to show the stamens and the 3-parted style.

171.-Juncacea. Herbaceous plants, with fascicled or fibrous roots. Flowers generally brown or green, hermaphrodite or unisexual. Calyx and corolla more or less glumaceous.

Stamens 6, sometimes 3. Ovary 1- or 3-celled. Stigmas generally 3. Fruit capsular, with 3 valves. Seeds neither black nor crustaceous; albumen firm; embryo within it. USES.-Unimportant. Used for making mats and similar

objects.

TYPICAL GENERA.-Juncus, Luzula.

172.-Commelynacea. Herbaceous plants. Leaves usually sheathing. Sepals 3, inferior, herbaceous. Petals coloured, sometimes cohering at the base. Stamens hypogynous, some deformed. Ovary 3-celled; stigma 1. Capsule 2- or 3-celled. Seeds often twin; embryo pulley-shaped, in a cavity remote from the hilum; albumen fleshy.

USES.-Unknown.

TYPICAL GENERA.-Commelyna, Tradescantia.

173.-Butomacea. Aquatic plants. Leaves very cellular, often milky. Sepals 3, inferior, herbaceous. Petals 3, coloured. Stamens definite or indefinite. Ovaries 3, 6, or more. Follicles many-seeded. Seeds minute, attached to the whole of the inner surface of the fruit.

USES.-Unimportant.

TYPICAL GENERA.-Limnocharis, Butomus.

174.-Palmacea. Stem simple, rarely forked. Leaves terminal, very large, pinnate, or flabelliform, plaited in vernation. Spadix enclosed in a valved spatha. Flowers small, hermaphrodite, or polygamous. Perianth 6-parted, persistent. Stamens inserted into the base of the perianth, definite or indefinite. Ovary 3-celled, or deeply 3-lobed, with an erect ovule. Fruit baccate or drupaceous. Albumen cartilaginous or fleshy; embryo in a cavity at a distance from the hilum.

USES.-The Cocoa-nut, whose whole structure appears useful, independently of its agreeable fruit, is the produce of Cocos nucifera; the tough coarse fibre of this plant is manufactured into the elastic cables called Coir-rope. The Date-tree is the Phoenix dactylifera. Sago, a nutritious starchy substance, is secreted in the trunks of several species, especially of Sagus lævis and Caryota urens. The sugary nature of their sap, and its great abundance, enables the natives of Palm countries to obtain an intoxicating beverage called Palm wine from others.

The Palms of Scripture were the leaves of the Date-tree. The foliage of the order generally, being large and hard, is well suited to such purposes as thatching. The Canes, whose flexible stems when split are woven into chair-bottoms, are different species of Calamus.

TYPICAL GENERA.-Phoenix, Chamærops.

1. Inflorescence of Chamaerops humilis, in its spathe. 2. A portion of the same with the fruit ripening. 3. A male flower. 4. A female flower. 5. A ripe fruit. 6. A section of another variety, showing the seed. 7. A seed with a portion of the surface cut away, to display the embryo.

175.-Juncaginacea. Herbaceous bog-plants.

Leaves en

6, cohering firmly; ovules 1 or 2, erect. Fruit dry; albumen

wanting; embryo orthotropous, with a lateral cleft.

USES.-Unknown.