ABA'LIA, a genus of plants, the type of the natural order This order is dicotyledonous or exogenous, and consists of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, resembling the umbelliferte (q.v.) both in their general habit and in their botanical char acters, but differing essentially in the fruit, which is not didymous or formed of two separable carpels as in the umbelliferce. The fruit of the araliaeete consists of several one-seeded cells, and is often succulent. The order contains about 160 known species, natives of tropical, temperate, and cold climates, generally possessing stimulant and aromatic properties. Poisonous qualities are not developed as in the umbellifercs. The herbage of many species affords good food for cattle, and some are used for human food. The genus ARALIA contains a considerable number of species—trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. It has a succulent fruit, with 5 or 10 cells, crowned with the styles. A. nudicaulis is a native of the United States of America, a species of humble growth, having a solitary radical leaf with a trifid stalk and ovate serrated segments; the scape is shorter than the leaf. The root is said to be equal in value to sarsaparilla as an altera tive and tonic. A. racemosa, A. spinosa, and A. hi.spida, also natives of North America, produce an aromatic gum resin. A. spinosa is a stimulant diaphoretic. The berries, infused in wine or spirits, are employed in America as a cure for rheumatism. It is sometimes called toothache-tree; it also bears the name of angelica-tree. It is a native of moist woods in Virginia and Carolina, growing to a height of 10 or 12 ft., with a sin gle stem, spreading head, doubly and trebly pinnate leaves and ovate leaflets, and is very ornamental in a lawn. A. polaris, found in the southern island of New Zealand,
and in the greatest abundance and luxuriance in Lord Auckland's islands, is described by Dr. Hooker as a " very magnificent plant," a herbaceous perennial. 4 to 5 ft. high, with large orbicular masses of green foliage and waxy flowers, presenting a very. striking appearance. A. edulis, now called dimorphanaus edulis, is employed in China as a sudorific. Its shoots are very delicate and pleasant when boiled; and the roots, which have an agreeable aromatic flavor, are used by the Japanese as carrots or parsnips are in Europe. Aralias abound in the warm valleys of the Himalaya. The natives collect the leaves of many as fodder for cattle, for which purpose they are of great value in a country where grass for pasture is scarce; but the use of this food gives a peculiar taste to the butter. Chinese rice paper has been ascertained to be cut from cylinders of the pith of an A. Ginseng (q.v.), the root of a species of panax, is one of the most important products of the order araliacem. The astringent roots of gunnera scabra, or panke, are used in tanning, but its fleshy leaf-stalks are eaten like those of rhubarb. It has been seen on the sandstone cliffs of Chiloc with leaves nearly 8 ft. in diameter, each plant with four or five of these enormous leaves. It has been introduced into Britain,and is found to succeed well in the climate of Edinburgh. The only represent etives of this order in the British flora arc the ivy (q.v.), and a small plant called the tuberous moschatel (adoxa mosehatellina).