of which I shall content myself with one ; Lygodiaceae an exalbumenous order is placed in the
same alliance with Cynchonaceae a pre-eminently albumenous one. He states that some of
the connecting links of his albumenous group are evidently wanting, this is not to be wondered
at when some of the primary ones are excluded because of their having monopetalous or apetal-
ous flowers. But let us place every known order having the “ embryo considerably shorter and
smaller than the albumen9* together, without reference to the flowers which in comparison with
the seed are variable, and reconsider the whole when it seems not improbable the missing links
will he found, and the true affinities of this very curious and difficult order made out. This
assuredly is not the case now, otherwise, 1 cannot suppose Geraneaceae an exalbumenous hy-
pogynous order would he referred to as a relation in consequence of the cohesion of the carpels
round a woody axis, since, at this rate, they are equally allied to Euphorbiaceae, with the
additional advantage of both having albumenous seed. Here I quit the subject of its affinities
having said enough to show that the question is still sub judice and requires a master mind to
unravel it.
G eographical D istr ibu tio n . I had almost said fortunately, for Indian Botanists,
this order occupies but a very secondary place in the Indian Flora, the species being chiefly
natives of more temperate climates, where they inhabit groves* thickets, marshy places,
plains and waste grounds. The few species found in Southern India are chiefly met with on
the highest hills or the skirts of dense jungles, a very few only being found on the open plains
and these principally in rich arable lands. In northern India they are more frequent especially
on the Himalayas, whence Dr. Royle informs us he has no fewer than 90 species, which,
added to those from other parts of India make a total of 127 Indian o n e s.T h o u g h t/»i-
belliferae abound more in the Northern than Southern hemisphere, the latter is not deficient,
something less than one-third of those known being found in the temperate portions of the
South, but they are much more numerous in the old than the new world. Being so
exclusively an extra tropical order it is not one meriting- much consideration of-the tropical Botanist
beyond showing that wherever a number of species are found native within the tropics,
the station may be considered one enjoying a low mean temperature and thoroughly adapted
for the growth of extra tropical plants requiring for their successful culture a temperate climate.
The same fact shows on the other hand that, being generally plants impatient of high temperature,
there seems little chance of successfully cultivating any of the extra tropical species
within the tropies, except during the coolest season of the year.
P roperties and U ses. The properties which distinguish this family are very various and,
according to the part under examination, of the most opposite kind : those appertaining to the
seed being for the most part aromatic and mildly stimulant, and scarcely in any instance poisonous
; while those of the vegetation are generally acrid,very often virulently poisonous and except
when ameliorated by culture always suspicious. A few only are employed towards supplying
food for man or cattle. The Carrot, Parsnip, Skirret, Parsley, Cellary, Samphire, Ar-
racacha and Earth-nut ( Buneum Bulbocastanum) about complete the list of those eat by man;
the Prangos hay of Cashmere is one of the very few used as fodder for cattle. The Materia
Medica is however largely indebted to this order, some of our most esteemed Carminitives being
derived from it, as well as some powerful narcotic remedies, among these perhaps the best
known is the Hemlock, which has been long in use for the relief of Cancerous affections and oct
casionally as a local application for the cleaning of foul ulcers, though for this last purpose the
Carrot is in more general use. Caraway, Coriander, Dill Anise, Fennel seed are all used as
Carminitives and gentle stimulants in Europe and India The Ajawan and some others are esteemed
here though less known elsewhere. Besides these we are indebted to this family for
several other useful medicines, such as Assafceteda, Opoponax, Galbanum, Sagapinum, and it
is supposed Gum Ammoniae, one of our best expectorants and applied as a plaster to indolent
tumours and chronic boils, an excellent deobstruent. Dr. Paris recommends it in combination
with Rhubarb as a useful medicine in Mysenteric affections by correcting viscid secretions.
DeCand.olle seems to think that the very opposite properties found in this family
may be explained by supposing that the extractive matter is narcotic and acrid, while
the resinous matter is stimulant and aromatic, which in other words is, by- supposing
their juice, while yet only half elaborated is narcotic, but becomes aromatic and stimulant when
it is transformed into the true resinous sap. According to this hypothesis the roots
having much mucilage and water and little extractive, ought not to be poisonous and therefore
fit for the food of man. This we find the case in many species though certainly not
in all, (for we know that the roots of some are very poisonous) but still often enough to afford
much'evidence in support of his doctrine. In the juices of the herbaceous part of the plant,
the green portion, where extractive abounds and can be easily extracted either by infusion or
decoction in water, we find concentrated, the narcotic and poisonous properties of the Hemlock
(Conium macula'um), Cowbane ( Cicuta virosaJ, the Dead tongue ( /Enanthe croca'aJ, Fools
Parsley ( AEthusa eijnapium)> &c., while the proper sap such as flows spontaneously from
wounds in the bark or otherwise is resinous tonic and aromatic. According to this theory tinctures
prepared with pure alcohol, which does not dissolve extractive, should not be narcotic and
poisonous, whereas we find both Dr. Christison and Mr. Pereira recommending an alcoholic
tincture of the bruised seed, not the leaves, of the hemlock as the best mode of administering
that powerful and dangerous medicine. As however DeCandolle’s theory so generally accords
Avith experience, I should doubt whether the tincture of Hemlock Seed is possessed of the
same narcotic properties as the decoction of the leaves. But should experince prove that the
seed are narcotic and that this property is communicated to the tincture, then that preparation,
for internal use,ought at once to supersede every other form of administration,not only as affording
a preparation not liable to the rapid deterioration of watery preparations, but as holding out the
prospect of being so much more uniform in its strength and certain in its action, than those
derived from the leaves. These it. is well known are frequently inert; nay more, are liable to
lose their properties through unskilful drying and much more from bad management in the preparation
of the extract. It seems scarcely necessary to dwell longer on the properties of this
family, which can never be expected to become of importance in this country from the unfitness
of the climate for their culture, though these observations might easily be extended to any
length. Dr. Lindley, in his Flora Medica, gives a catalogue of no fewer than 126 species
more or less suitable for medicinal purposes : and even that list, copious as it is, might be greatly
extended. Before however concluding, I may remark, that the common garden cellery when
wild and growing in wet ditches and meadows, its usual station, is an acrid poisonous plant, but
changed by culture, becomes a favourite sallad. It seems probable that many others might be
similarly changed. The seed of the carrot, which is warm and carmnative, is supposed to
act principally on the urinary organs.
R emarks on G enera and S pecies. Large and very natural orders such as this, are
always difficult to divide and arrange in such a manner as to render them easily available in
practice towards of discovering the name of a species, and the present is so peculiarly natural,
that some Botanists have even gone so far as to assume that it may almost be looked
upon as one vast genus and that only very artificial genera can be obtained by its subdivision.
To this idea, even in the,abstract, I confess I cannot subscribe, for I cannot but think
the association of such plants as Hydrocotyle and Sanicula in the same genus with Angelica
and Pastinaca would be most unnatural. But while l object to such sweeping combinations as
these, 1 cannot avoid thinking, that the number of genera established in this order is already
excessive, that is, so far as I can make.out from studying their characters. In support of this
opinion the genera Pastinaca and Heracleum may I think be safely quoted, Pimpinella and
Plychotis, it appears to me, may with equal safety be referred to as another example of the same
kind, and doubtless many others might be found. This multiplication of genera can scarcely
be matter of surprise in an order like this, where the general similarity among the species is so
marked that nothing short of the most careful study enables one to distinguish them and
where, in consequence, characters most minute and difficult to make out, and these not always
constant, are apt to have higher values assigned than they merit. To this cause I am disposed
to attribute the high value attached to the vittae, which, so far as my owu limited
observation enables me to judge, they do not merit, not only as being inconstant, but as being
in many instances, from their minuteness, of very difficult application in practice and only to
be detected in perfectly ripe seed.