Order Lx
ROSACEÆ. 2127 Acácia W. 1518 Dípterix W. 1519 Parivóa Aubl. 972 Hymenæ'a W. 970 Bauhínia W. 968 Cércis W. 30 Codárium Vahl.
With the exception of Chrysobalaneæ and Sanguisorbeæ, this order is so uniform in its appearance, that Rósa, the type from which all the other genera are to be considered variations, when justly understood, will be found to contain every form of structure which is essential to the order. Having stated this, it will be at once obvious, that if the other genera have such close affinity to Rósa, they must also bear a great analogy in beauty. And this is, indeed, the fact. Amygdalus and Prúnus among trees, and Potentilla, Géum, and others, among herbaceous genera, rival the rose in their blossoms, and, in many particulars, surpass that most lovely of all flowers in foliage and general appearance. But it is not for charms alone of smell, or blossom, or foliage, that this order has fixed itself so high in the estimation of mankind. It has also the rare merit of comprehending all the most important of the fruits of the temperate regions of the world. Thus the apple and the pear belong to Pýrus, the plum and the apricot to Prúnus, the peach and the nectarine to Amygdalus; Eriobotrya produces the loquat, Mespilus the medlar, and finally, the quince is borne by the Cydonia. The medical powers of many plants of this order are not less active than their fruit is excellent. The principal of these is the well-known Prussic acid, which exists in abundance in the leaves and kernels of many genera, especially of Prúnus and Amygdalus: it is the basis of Laurel water, which, when taken in small doses, acts either as a violent purgative or as an emetic; and, in stronger doses, is said to destroy irritability without exciting inflammation; these properties, however, although thus dangerous in the distilled water of the laurel and other similar plants, can scarcely be said to exist in any important quantity in the plants in a state of nature. The kernel of the bitter almond, for example, in which the Prussic acid is more abundant than usual, is used for many culinary and other purposes without any bad effect. There are, however, cases in which it is said to be dangerous to eat the fresh leaves or kernels; as in the Prúnus virginiana, the leaves and fruit of which are reputed in the United States to be poisonous to certain animals. Besides the Prussic acid, there are several other principles which abound in the order. All Drupaceæ yield a gum which is nearly allied to gum Arabic, and which affords a strong evidence of the affinity that exists between Rosaceæ and in many species, whence different parts have been occasionally employed as febrifuges, and as remedies for hæmorrhage, diarrhœa, and dysentery. The root of the Tormentilla is used for tanning in the Ferro Isles; and that of the Capollim cherry in Mexico. The bark of Prúnus virginiána is used as a febrifuge in the United States ; Potentilla réptans has been praised for the same properties. The root of Géum urbánum has been found, by Milandi and Moretti, to contain one eleventh of its weight of tannin; it has been used both in America and Europe as a substitute for Jesuit's bark. The of Rúbus árcticus in Norway, of Prúnus spinósa and ávium, and of Rósa rubiginósa have been manufactured into a sort of substitute for tea. The bark of the root of Gillénia trifoliáta is remarkable in having, in addition to the astringency already mentioned, an emetic property, on which account it is employed in North America as Ipecacuanha. It is said, that a similar power exists in other Spiræ'as.
It must not be omitted, that the order Rosaceæ nearly answers to the Icosandria of Linnæus. Tribe 1. CHRYSOBALANEE. 870 Parinárium Juss. 499 Hirtélla W. 1130 Chrysobálanus W. 1080 Grangéria Lam.
Tribe 2.
Tribe 2. AMYGDALINEE. 1128 Amygdalus W. 1129 Prúnus W.
Tribe 3. SPIRÆACEE. 1156 Kérria Dec. 1141 Spiræa W. 1142 Gillénia Mönch.
Tribe 4. NEURADEE 1063 Griélum W.
Tribe 5.
DRYADEE. 1159 Drýas W. 1140 Waldsteínia W. 1154 Tormentílla L. 1161 Sievérsia W. 1149 Rúbus W. 1155 Géum W. 1150 Dalibárda Mich. 1153 Potentilla L. 710 Sibbaldia IW. 1101 Agrimónia W. 1152 Comárum W. 1160 Colúria R. Br. 1151 Fragária W. 255 Alchemilla W. 256 Sanguisórba W. 1132 Cratæ'gus L. 1136 Raphiolépis Lindl. 1135 Photinia Lindl.
Tribe 6.
SANGUISORBEÆ. 1190 Potérium W. 2106 Cliffortia W.
Tribe 7. ROSEE. 1148 Rósa W.
Tribe 8. POMACEE. 1137 Eriobotrya Lindl. 1139 Cotoneaster Lindl. 1138 Amelánchier Lindl. 68 Ancistrum L. 1131 Méspilus Lindl. 1133 Pýrus Sm. 1134 Cydónia Juss.
NATURAL ARRANGEMENT.