CINCHONA'CE.E, Cinchonads, the Cinchona-Tribe, a natural order of Monopetalous Exogenous Plants, with an inferior fruit, a regular corolla, seeds containing a small embryo in the midst of horny albumen, and opposite undivided leaves with stipules placed between their petioles. This brief character distinguishes a most extensive and important assemblage of plants, comprehending many of the most useful species we are acquainted with. The bark of the order is very generally tonic, aromatic, and febrifuge], and its energy is attested by the well-known use of that of Cinchona itself, to say nothing of 'the numerous other genera fit to be employed as sub stitutes for Jesuit's Bark. [Cnicnorra] The albumen of the seeds when roasted affords, in the case of coffee, a fragrant, stimulating, and agreeable principle [Comla]; and the roots of many herbaceous kinds possess active emetic properties. True Ipecacuanha is the produce of Cephmlis Ipecacuanha [Caruisms], but many other Cinchonaceous plants resemble it in their medicinal qualities, and are perhaps mixed with it iu commerce. Cinchonacem are the Rubiacem of many botanists ; but as it appears advisable to separate Rubia and its allies into a distinct order, on account of the absence of stipules, and for other reasons [STELLATY], it is necessary to alter the name of the remainder of the group ; and as a type of the order, when circumscribed, Cinchona is unexceptionable.
The Honeysuckles were also referred' to Rubiacece, but are now separated under the name of Caprifoliacece. With these two orders Cinchonacem has undoubtedly the greatest affinity. It is also related to the Compositor, and through the genus Lygodysodea to the Umbel liferce. Some of the genera of this order exhibit a tendency in their sepals to revert to the foliar condition after the petals have fallen.
This is the case with Musscenda and Calycophyllum. [CALY COPHYLLIIM.] Cinchona& are found exclusively in the hotter parts of the world, where they are so common as to constitute not less than one-twenty ninth part of the whole of the:vegetation. The order comprises 269 genera and 2500 species. The most valuable of these are undoubtedly the species of Cinchona, but many important plants besides these are yielded by this order. The genera Pinckneya, Condaminea, Guettarda, Antirhea, Morinda, Ilymemdictyon, and Ophiorhiza, all afford species which yield barks regarded as febrifuge and astringent in the treatment of disease. Some of the species yield tannin, as the Uncaria Gambier, from which a kind of Catechu or Kino is prepared. The species of Chiococca [Cruococea] have active properties. Only a few species yield, food. "The Genipap, a South American fruit, as large as an orange, of a whitish-green colour, but containing a dark purple juice, with an agreeable vinous taste, is borne by Genipa Americana. Sarcocephalus esewlentus is the edible peach of Sierra-Leone. Vangueria edulis, or Yoa-vanga is said to be a good dessert fruit in Madagascar. Genipa Brasiliensis is also eaten in Brazil, but 3Iartius says that it is only fit for table after becoming bletted, and that it is better when preserved with sugar than when fresh. Some of the bushes called in Tasmania native currants are Coprosmas, but they are not of good quality." (Lindley).
Several genera, as Oldenlandia, Psychotria, Genipa, Condaminea, and Hydrophylax, yield colouring-matters in dyeing. Some species are remarkable for their fragrance and beauty, especially amongst the genera Gardenia, Hindsia, Posequeria, Ixora, Bowvardia, Catesbma.
(Lindley, Vegetable Kingdom.)