Genus HALESIA, Ellis. 



Halesiaceae. Dodecandria Monogynia. 



Syit. Nat. Syst. Lin. 



Derivation. Named by Ellis in hoiiour of the learned and venerable Stephen Hales, D. D. F. R. S., author 

 of " Vegetable Statics," &c., published in 1727. 



Generic Characters. Corolla monopetalous, ventricosely campanulate. with a 4-lobed erect border. 

 Stamens 12 to 16. Filaments combined into a tube at the base, and aduate to the corolla. Anthers 

 oblong, erect, 2-celled, dehiscing lengthwise. Ovarium inferior. Style 1. Stigma simple. Drupe 

 dry, corticate, oblong, with 2 4-winged angles, terminated by the permanent style, containing a 2 4- 

 celled putamen, which is acute at both ends. Cells 1-seeded. Seeds attached to the bottom of the 

 cells. Testa of seeds simple, very thin. Embryo the length of albumen, with linear-oblong cotyle- 

 dons, and a long, linear, compressed, inferior radicle. Albumen fleshy. Trees, with alternate serrated 

 leaves, and lateral fascicles of pedicellate, drooping, white flowers. Do?, Miller's Diet. 



^HE genus Halesia embraces but two species, natives of Caro- 

 lina and Georgia, both of which are highly ornamental and 

 sufficiently hardy to withstand the climate of Britain and the 

 temperate parts of the United States. The Halesia diptera, a 

 native of Georgia, has leaves which closely resemble those of the 

 Styrax grandifolium, but differ from them in not being downy be- 

 neath, and is frequently sold for it in nurseries. Indeed, in affinity, as well as in 

 general appearance, this genus approaches near to that of styrax ; and there is so 

 close a resemblance among all the allied species of styrax, that they may possibly 

 be only varieties of one form. To the last-named genus belongs the officinal sto- 

 rax of apothecaries, (Styrax officinale,) much used at the present day in Catholic 

 countries to burn as incense. The common storax of commerce differs from that 

 of the shops, and is a liquid balsam, said to be obtained from the Liquidambar 

 styraciflua. 



