which at their origin are generally equal in number to the divisions of the corolla, instead
of being placed opposite to these divisions, and passing through their axes as in other
plants, alternate with them; each of the vessels at the top of the tube dividing into
two equal branches, running parallel to and near the margins of the corresponding lacinese,
within whose apices they unite. These, as they exist in the whole class, and are in a
great part of it the only vessels observable, may be called primary. In several genera,
however, other vessels occur, alternating with the primary, and occupying the axes of the
lacinese; in some cases these secondary vessels being most distinctly visible in the lacinese,
and becoming gradually fainter as they descend the tube, might be regarded as recurrent
; originating from the united apices of the primary branches; but in Other cases,
where they are equally distinct at the base of the tube, this supposition cannot be admitted.
A monopetalous corolla, not splitting at the base, is necessarily connected with
this structure, which seems also peculiarly well adapted to the dense inflorescence of
Composites; the vessels of the corolla and stamina being united and so disposed as to
be least liable to suffer by pressure.” 1
Geographical Distribution. Representatives of this family are found in all parts
of the world from the polar circles to the equator, and, according to DeCandolle, its
species amount to nearly one-tenth of the Vegetable Kingdom. But, though thus generally
distributed and, as a whole, form so large a proportion of the vegetation which
covers the globe’s surface, they are far from being equally prevalent, in proportion to the
indigenous vegetation in different countries. According to Humboldt, every 7th flowering
plant of France is a Composita; in Germany, every 8th; in Lapland, every 15th; in
North America, every 6th; in tropical America, every 3d; of the North of New Holland,
according to Brown, every 16th; and of a small collection formed on the banks of
the Congo in Africa, every 23d. In Sicily, every 3d, the same in the Balearic Islands,
while in Melville Island the proportion is nearly the same as in the tropical parts of New
Holland, or about Jl . In India, taking Wallich’s List as the standard, they occur in the
proportion of -/:l ■ These examples, which may be viewed as approximations to the truth,
serve to show, with sufficient, precision, the inequality of their distribution as well as the
want of any fixed ratio of increase and decrease corresponding with latitude. On this
subject, however, it is well' remarked by Lindley, much still remains to be learned, and
as I am myself only acquainted with the small fragment of the order appertaining to
the Indian Peninsula, I am not in a position to throw light on its obscurities. I may
however remark, that the number of alpine species of our flora is greater in proportion
to the rest of the vegetation than on the plains. The number found above 3000 feet of
elevation amounting to probably about 150 species, which I imagine is nearly in the ratio
of 1 in 15 or 16 of the flowering plants of these regions.
DeCandolle gives the following summary as the result of his examination of the
natural habit of Composite. “Out of 8523, of which he had any knowledge, 1229 wer<*
annuals, 243 biennials, 2491 perennials, 2264 under shrubs from 1 to 3 feet high, 366
shrubs from 4 to 15 feet high, 72 small trees, 4 large trees above 25 feet high, 81 woody
plants of which nothing further was known [I have seen the Neilgherry Monads, ranked
in 'th is division, fully 40 or 50 feet high, R. W.], 126 twiners or climbers, and 1201
about which nothing certain could be ascertained. These were distributed as follows :—
347 in the South Sea Islands, 2224 in Africa, 1827 in Asia, 1042 in Europe, and 3590
in America. Of these the Cape of Good Hope possessed 1540, Mexico 725, Brazil 722,
United States and Canada 678, the Levant 610, the Continent of India 681, North and
Middle Europe 447, Europe at the Mediterranean 595, Australia 294.” Lindley, extracted
from D. C.’s Collection of Memoirs, No. X.
The following note, from M. Laseque’s Musee Botanique de Delessert, regarding the
proportion this family bears to the rest of the vegetable kingdom, is interesting. After
stating that the order at the present day includes more species than was known altogether
to Linnaeus, he adds in a note: “I t is a singular fact, that the proportion Composite
bear to the whole of the known vegetable kingdom, has always been about the same,
that is to say, about one-tenth. Linnaeus defined 785 out of 8500; in 1809 we reckoned
2800 Composite out of 27,000 species; DeCandolle, in 1838, described 8525, again about
the tenth of the vegetable kingdom; and now, when the estimate has reached 95,000 species,
we find the Composite amount to 9500.
P roperties and Uses. These, when viewed in relation to the magnitude of the family,
disappoint our expectations, and may be stated generally as being comparatively of inferior
importance, while, as regards the Indian Flora, they are of very secondary note.
Some are used as esculents, several are used in the arts, and a good many have attained
some repute in medicine, but not one of the latter category even remotely approach, in
their properties, the valuable qualities of the Cinchonas and many others met with in most
other large families; and I believe I am correct in stating that, out of the whole 10 000
species included within the limits of this order, there is not one in current use in medical
practice, for which substitutes generally equal to, or better than the original, cannot
be readily obtained.
I shall however glance at a few of the principal articles appertaining to each of these
heads. To treat the subject methodically, the proper plan would be to consider them
under the leading Botanical divisions or sub-orders, but I apprehend the other will be
esteemed the more convenient, as demanding from the reader a smaller amount of Botanical
knowledge.
Esculents. Under this head we find several used as salads, substitutes for Spinach,
and a few esculent roots. Among the first is the well known and justly appreciated
Lettuce, Lactuca sativea, and Endive, Cichorium Endiviva, and Intybus; also the young
and tender leaves of Swine’s thistle, Sonchus oleraceus, and Pieridium sativum. The
young leayes of Swine’s thistle, boiled, are also esteemed a good substitute for Spinach; so
are those of Spilanthes oleracea, an Indian plant of easy cultivation, but the good qualities
of which we have not yet learned to appreciate. The Artichoke and Cardoon, Cinera
scolemus and Cardunculus, are both well known, the former prized for its flower-heads
before expansion—the fleshy bases of its involucre leaves and receptacle being the part
used, the latter for the delicate, aspargus-like foot stalks of its leaves, when nicely blanched.
Among those cultivated for their roots, the Salsafy, Tragopogon porrifolius, merits
prominent notice; their flavour is peculiar, but I believe, to most tastes, very agreeable.
Scorzonera deliciosa is another of the same kind; they are cultivated like carrots or
parsnips. Those of the Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, a species of Sun-flower,
is also in repute, and has the advantage of being easily cultivated on the plains of India,
which the others have not. On the Continent of Europe the Succory and Endive are
largely cultivated for their roots, which are taken up in autumn, dried, roasted and
powdered like coffee, for which they are sometimes used as a substitute, but oftener to
adulterate -that favourite beverage. Some persons even go so far as to assert that French
coffee owes its superior flavour to that admixture.
Arts. Those used in the arts are not numerous. The seeds of several yield a bland
oil, those for example of the Sun-flower, Madia saiiva, and in this country the Ramtil,
Guezotia oldfera, is in Mysore largely cultivated as an oil plant. In Chili and in Europe,
the Madia is cultivated for the same purpose, and yields, as compared with Linseed, in
the proportion of 32 to 21, while its cake is good feeding for cattle. I t seems therefore
a desirable plant for India. The petals of Carthamics tinctorius, yield a deep-yellow dye,
much used in China for dying silk, and is cultivated in India for them, but I believe
the seed are also pressed for oil. When used as a dye, the petals are infused in an alkaline
solution, and afterwards treated with a vegetable acid. They are also prepared and
used as a substitute for Saffron. The Polish Jews are said to be so fond of that preparation
that they mix it with their bread and most other viands, and in England the
ower orders mix it with their puddings. The corolla of the Dahlia furnishes a beautiful
carmine, and Eclipla erecta, an Indian plant, found also in Brazil, stains black the hair
the Brazilian women.
G