CHLORANTHUS, a geuus of plants belonging to the natural order Chioranthec'ecr. It has spiked flowers, each with a bract. Calyx absent. Anther solitary and 2-celled, or triple and 4-celled, with a thick fleshy connective ; seated en the exterior side of the ovary. Tho stigma sessile. Drupe baccate, I-seeded.
C. ojticinalis is a smooth shrub 3-4 feet high, with opposite straggling branches, tumid at the articulations, &tiller when young. Leaves spreading, opposite, stalked, oblong, acuminated at each end, with glandular serratures, thin, shining, and somewhat blistered ; petioles short and taper. Spikes terminal, branched. Bracts dotted with glands. Anther white, changing to yellow. Drupe straw coloured. All the parte are powerfully aromatic; the roots, if quickly dried, retain their properties for a long time. The plant is a native of Java, in the moist woods, at an elevation of 1500 feet above the level of the sea.
The mountaineers of Java employ the roots in infusion as a remedy for spasms ; also when united with Anise or Ocyntnne it is given in small-pox. In fevers and a suppression of the functions of the skin it
is said to be of the greatest service. It is no doubt a powerful and active stimulant.
1, Spike, the upper and lower flowers Without stamens; 2, flower without its bract ; 3, an Interior view of the anther ; 4, a magnified fruit ; 5, the kernel of the fruit ; 6, a section of the fruit, showing the embryo; 7, the stone of the fruit, with a portion of the shell removed; 8, a perpendicular section of Ulu ovary•, *taming the position of the ovule.
C. brachystachys is also a native of the coast of Java. It is an upright bush about 3 feet high, quite smooth in all its !arts. Leaves °borate, lanceolate, tapering very much into the petiole., sharply serrate. Spikes short, terminal, branched. Bracts glandular. Anther simple, 2-celled, growing from the side of the ovary. Its properties are like those of the last species.
CIILO'ItION, n genus of Hymenopterous Insects of the section Fouores. [rSmissorn.E.]