242 VITACE^. ViTrs. 



discoid, 5-radiate. Ovary ovoid, surrounded at the base by an annular disk, 

 5-celled, vi^itli about 12 ovules in each cell. Capsule ovoid, 5-celled, dehis- 

 cing from the base upward, with 5 septifragal valves ; the very thick and 

 woody sarcocarp at length separable from the endocarp; the axis large, per- 

 sistent, 5-angled above, 5-winged below with the dissepiments. Seeds sus- 

 pended from the summit of the axis, about 12 in each cell, imbricated in two 

 rows, rather flat ; the thickened and spongy integument expanded above into 

 an oblong wing, which is traversed by the filiform funiculus. Embryo trans- 

 verse : radicle very short, looking towards the side of the cell : cotyledons 

 conferruminate and confounded with the fleshy albumen. — A large tree, 

 with reddish-brown wood. Leaves abruptly pinnate : leaflets small, some- 

 what inequilateral. Panicles axillary or somewhat terminal, loosely-flower- 

 ed. Ad. Juss. — Mahogany. 



S. Mahogoni (Linn.)— Car. diss. 7. p. 365, t. 209; Catesh. Car. t. 81 ; 

 DC. prodr. 1. p. 624; Ad. Juss. I. c. Cedrus Mahogonij Mill. 



The Mahogany is mentioned in Muhlenberg's catatogue as a doubtful na- 

 tive of Florida. We have seen, in the herbarium of the late Mr. Croom, a 

 capsule from a collection made in Southern Florida by the late Dr. Leitner, 

 who considered the tree to which it belonged to be the true Mahogony. — 

 The figure of Gsertner (fruct. 2. t. 96.) difl'ers in several points from S. Ma- 

 hogoni, as is noticed by Ad. Jussieu, and probably represents some other plant. 



Order XLIL VITACE^. Juss. 



Ampelideae, Rich. ; Kunth, <^c. 



Calyx minute, nearly entire, or 5-toothed. Petals 4-5, inserted 

 upon the outside of an annular disk, inflexed and valvate in sestivation, 

 distinct, or cohering above and calyptriform, caducous. Stamens as 

 many as the petals and opposite them, inserted on the surface of the 

 disk : filaments distinct or slightly cohering at the base, or attached 

 to the outside of a S-lobed urceolus : anthers ovate, versatile. Ovary 

 2.celled, with 2 erect collateral ovules in each cell : style short or 

 none : stigma simple. Fruit a globose mostly pulpy berry, often by 

 abortion 1-celled, 1-few-seeded. Seeds anatropous, erect, with a 

 hard testa. Embryo much shorter than the horny or fleshy albumen : 

 radicle slender : cotyledons lanceolate or subulate. — Usually climbing 

 shrubs. Leaves simple or compound ; the lower ones opposite ; the 

 upper alternate, opposite the racemes or thyrsoid panicles, which are 

 sometimes changed into tendrils. Flowers greenish and inconspicu- 

 ous, occasionally polygamous. 



1. VITIS. Linn. ; Goirtn.fr. t. 106 ; W. ^ Am. prodr. Ind. Or. 1. p. 124. 



Vitis & Cissus, Linn. cf-c. 



Calyx nearly entire. Petals 4-5, distinct and spreading, or united at the 

 apex, but distinct at the base, and falling ofl'like a calyptra. Torus elevated 



