THE DICOTYLEDONES 



1889 



II. Jasminoideae 



The seeds are erect, and the fruit divided into two parts by a vertical 

 constriction, except when one carpel fails to develop. Jasinimim (Fig. 1801). 



The Oleoideae include about half the known species of the family. 

 Economically, in addition to the Olive the only important genus is Fraxinus 

 (Fig. 1802). The Common Ash is valuable for its wood, which is close- 



FlG. 1802. — Fraxinus excelsior. 



Ash. Left, female inflorescence. Right, male 

 inflorescence. 



grained and non-splitting and is employed in the manufacture of handles 

 for implements. There are some sixty species of Fraxinus which are 

 distributed in North America, eastern Asia and southern Europe. The 

 genus Svringa (Fig. 1803) includes the Lilacs of horticulture which are 

 mostly derived from S. vulgaris. There are about thirty species distri- 

 buted through Europe and Asia. Forsythia (Fig. 1804), which is widely 

 grown in gardens because of its bright spring flowers, is a native of China. 

 Ligustrum, with fifty species, is found in Europe, Asia and Australia. 

 L. vulgare. Privet, is much used in hedges. 



The pollination mechanism in the sub-family varies. Fraxinus is wind- 

 pollinated, Syringa and Ligustrum are hermaphrodite and in the absence 

 of insect-pollination many become self-pollinated. Jasminum and Forsythia 

 are pollinated by insects. We may consider two examples. 



In Svringa (Fig. 1805) the flowers are homogamous and the individual 

 flowers are aggregated into large conspicuous inflorescences. The corolla 

 tube is about a centimetre long and about 2 mm. in diameter. The lower 

 2 to 4 mm. of the tube is filled with nectar which is liberally secreted by the 



