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ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY-
Endlicher, Meisner, and Lindley agree in assigning to Cordiaceas pendulous ovules ; Alphonse
De Candolle, on the other hand, says of Varronia, "ovula angulo interno cujusvis loculi lateraliter
adfixa, basi obtusa, apice latire visa acuminata, facie obs. angustato-truncata, a dorso compressa f
and of Cordia, "ovula ut in Varroniis ex obs. in C. Gerascantho, aut basi loculi propiora et potius
adscendentia ex C. Chamissoniana.' n My observations, as exhibited fig. 6 tab. 169, accurately
correspond with his ; hence the remark above as to the relative position of the ovule in the
two tribes.
The inference I am disposed to deduce from these considerations is, that the four tribes of De Candolle must either be retained as one or split into four orders, and, for myself, I feel disposed to adopt the former alternative. In that case the affinities of the conjoint order become complex ; the first tribe perhaps approaching Convolvulacece, but very distinct, the second and third, Verbenacece, equally distinct ; and the fourth, Labiatece, but still all associating so well with each other that those of one tribe may be mistaken for those of another. This could scarcely happen with species of any other order. Lindley's location of Cordia in his Solanal Alliance between Asclepiadece, and Convolvulacece seems to me unnatural, at least I am unable to trace any affinity with the former and, so far as I am acquainted with the order, not much with the latter.
Geographical Distribution. Viewed in its most comprehensive aspect, that is, as understood by De Candolle, this order has a very extensive .distribution, its species being scattered all over the world. Cordiece, Ehretiece, and Heliotropiece, all show decidedly tropical predilections, while Borragece, containing at least twice as many species as all the others put together, is to an equal extent extratropical, being for the most part natives of the more tem- perate latitudes, abounding in the Southern parts of Europe and Central Asia. Species referable to De CandohVs three first tribes are common in Southern India, while those of the fourth are comparatively unknown. Trichodesma and some species of Cynoglassum, being almost the only ones to be met with.
Properties and Uses. These are not important. The fruit of some species of Cordia are eat by the Natives but are not by any means agreeable to the European palate, being soft and mucilaginous with a kind of mawkish sweet taste. The wood, though some attain the stature of considerable sized trees, is not of much value.
The Ehretias are not much thought of as medicinal agents. The Roots of E. buxifolia are used in the same manner and for nearly the same purposes as Sarsaparilla. The juice of Tiaridium Indicum (Heliotropium Indicum) is employed as an application to painful gum boils, and also to inflammatory affections of the eyelids. According to Martius it is a remedy of undoubted advantage to cleanse ulcers, and allay inflammation. The Peruvian Heliotrope is universally esteemed on account of its delicious fragrance. Of the true Borrages the Trichodismas only are sufficiently common on the plains of India to have found their way into the Native materia medica, and they are said to be diuretic. Of the European species, many are employed in the arts for the sake of the dyes furnished by their roots.
Remarks on Genera and Species. The number of Indian genera of this order is small. According to De Candolle's enumeration, there are in all 70 genera; 12 or 13, probabl)-, of which have Indian representatives. In Southern India, Cordia stands alone in its tribe. Ehretia and Tournefortia each furnishes a few species to the second, andS, out of the 6 genera belonging to Heliotropiece, have Indian species. Of the 53 genera of Borragece, 9 or 10 furnish Indian species, but these are principally from Northern India. Of the plates illustrative of this order one is appropriated to each of the 4 tribes, Cordiece, Ehretiece, Heliotropiece, and Borragece, by which means all the three, or rather, if they are to be separted, four orders are represented, should they, ultimately, be declared such; and if not, the transitions of the one large conjoint order may be readily traced through all their gradations. The plant selected to illustrate Heliotropeas has been long known under the name of Heliotropium Indicum, then under that of Tiaridium, and now it rejoices in that of Heliophetum Indicum. I do not very
