The group _Saurureæ_ (considered by some as an order, and perhaps representing a more original type) has 3–4 carpels with many ovules. _Lactoris_ stands the highest with regular 3-merous perianth, 3 + 3 stamens and 3 carpels, which are united at the base. Fruit a capsule with several seeds. (It has one species from the island of Juan Fernandez, and is also placed in an order of its own, Lactoridaceæ, allied to the Magnoliaceæ, through _Drimys_).--_Saururus_ has naked flowers; most frequently 6 stamens, and 4 carpels, free or united at the base, each with 2-4 orthotropous ovules. Fruit, small berries.--_Houttuynia_; stamens situated a little upward on the ovaries; placentation parietal; capsule many-seeded. About 1,000 species; entirely tropical, especially from South America and East India. They are found chiefly among the underwood in damp, shady places; some, which are fleshy (_Peperomia_), live as epiphytes on trees; a few climb by roots.--USES. Several Piperaceæ are used medicinally and for spices on account of their pungent properties and the essential oils found in nearly all parts of the plant. The following are _officinal_: “Black-pepper” (the unripe, dried fruits) and “White-pepper” (the seeds of the ripe fruits) of _Piper nigrum_ (climbing shrub, East Indian); “Cubeb” berries of _P. cubeba_ (climbing shrub, Java). “Long-pepper” is the unripe inflorescence of _P. longum_, East India. The leaves of _P. angustifolia_ (Matico) are officinal. The leaves of the Betelpepper (East India) are used together with the nuts of the Areca-palm to form the well-known East Indian intoxicating compound “Betel.” A good many others are also used. [Illustration: FIG. 358.--_Piper nigrum_ (Diagram). In addition to the bract there are two structures resembling bracteoles.] [Illustration: FIG. 359.--_Piper nigrum_: Fruit in longitudinal section, showing the endosperm, perisperm, and pericarp.] Order 3. =Chloranthaceæ.= (_Chloranthus_, _Hedyosmum_) have opposite leaves, with stipules more or less united at the base, and inferior “drupes.” Ovules pendulous. Only endosperm. About 33 species, Tropical. Family 7. =Curvembryæ.=