connected with the Flora of Guiana. 231 
diversity of form in the fruit, arising only during its growth from the state of 
ovary, is rather a generic than an ordinal distinction, 
Besides this difference in the fruit, Styrax and Strigilia have a definite 
number of stamens, but their insertion and connexion at the base into a short 
tube is the same as in Symplocos and Halesia. 
The character of Halesiaceæ derived from the winged fruit loses what little 
importance might have been given to it, when it is considered that it is not 
the “nut” itself that is winged, but merely the calyx inclosing it, which in its 
development becomes fleshy in Symplocos, and herbaceous and winged in 
Halesia,—a good generic, but no ordinal distinction. 
Lindley, in the second edition of his Natural System, besides the above 
genera, enumerates under Styrace@ the five following: Diclidanthera, Mart., 
Paralea, Aubl., Turaria, Molin., Morelosia, Llave, and Decadia, Lour. Of 
these, Diclidanthera is the only one which is satisfactorily described, and 
Martius is evidently right in ascribing it to Ebenacew ; but the separate inser- 
tion of the anthers in the throat of the corolla remove it from the tribe or 
order of Styracee: Paralea and Decadia appear also, as far as can be judged 
from the very imperfect descriptions, to be nearer the true Ebenacee than to 
Styracee : Morelosia must be very different, and may very likely belong to 
Convolvulaceæ, where Don places it. 
With respect to the affinities of Styracee as an order, their alliance with 
Ebenacee amongst Monopetalæ, and with Humiriaceæ in the first instance, and 
in the next place with Meliaceæ, and perhaps with Aurantiacee and Olacineæ 
amongst Polypetalæ, has been already pointed out, and have only been con- 
firmed, as far as my observations have led me; but my object not being to 
give a monograph of the order, I now merely add the characters which I 
should propose for such of the true Symploci as I am acquainted with. 
SvMPLocos. Linn. 
Calyx basi ovario adherens, limbo 5-fido, laciniis latis, æstivatione imbricatis. 
Corolla gamo-petala, profunde 5—7-fida, basi erecta, laciniis apice paten- 
tissimis, uniserialibus, æstivatione imbricatis. Stamina numerosa, 3—4- 
serialia, erecta, basi in tubum corollæ adnatum coalita ; filamenta superne 
libera, dilatata, imbricata, apice abrupte acuminata. Antheræ ovatæ, 
2H2 
