r 



396 XXXII. OLACINE^. [Villarma. 



alternate, coriaceous, entire or toothed* Flowers in small cymes, along tlie 

 simple rhachis of a raceme-like panicle. 



Besides the Australian species, which may be endemic, there is one (perhaps not really 

 different) from the Indian Archi])elngo, one from the S. Pacific islands, and several from S. 

 America. The gcuiis is exceptional in Olacine^ by the more or less imbricate petals. 1 

 Jiave not seen the 2 cells to the ovary which Miers met with in one species, possibly in acci- 

 dentally abnormal flowers, 



1. V, Moorei, F. MuelL Herb. A lofty liandsome tree, glabrous ex- 

 cept tlie inflorescence. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or obloiig, acuminate, 3 to 4 

 in. long, entire, narrowed into a sliort petiole, coriaceous and shining, but not 

 so thick as in the American species. Raceme-like panicles irregularly lateral 

 ov axilUuy, 2 to 4 in. long, hoary with, a minute pubescence. Cymes nu- 

 merous, few-floweredj on short peduncles along the rhachis. Flowers almost 

 sessile in the cymes, those seen all males. Petals 1 line long, very slightly 

 imbricate. Drupes globular, the pntamen hard, about ^ in. diameter, rugose 

 outside, the half-dissepiment projecting quite to the centre of the cavity and 

 there slightly thickened, forming a column, up the centre of which the pla- 

 centa appears to pass, as if the endocarp had grown over it as in the New 

 Zealand Penumdia, Seed quite enclosing the half-dissepiment, its transverse 

 section being horseshoe-shaped. 



N- S. "Wales. Clarence river, Moore, The Javanese V. siiaveolens {Vleuropctahm 

 9uaveolens, Blame) is unknown to me, bnt nmst, from the character given, be nearly allied 

 to this species. Y. Samoensis {Fie aro petal urn Samoease, k. Gr.) which we have also from 

 tlie Fiji islands, appears to be quite distinct. 



Oedeh XXXIIl. ILICINE^. 



Flowers regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual. Calyx of 4 or 5, rarely 3 or 

 more than 5 sepals, imbricate, usually ])crsistent. Petals 4 or 5 or rarely 

 more, hypogjaious, imbricate in the bud, sometimes united in a lobed corolla. 

 Stamens of the same number as petals, hypogynous, free or adhering to the 

 corolla at the base; anthers 2-celled, oj^ening inwards. Disk none, excej^t 

 the thickened base of the ovary. Ovary free, 3- to 5-celled, rarely many- 

 celled ; stigma broad or capitate, sessile or supported on a distinct style. 

 Ovules 1 or 2 in each' cell, pendulous, with a superior micropyle. Fruit a 

 drupe, with as many one-seeded pyreties as cells. Seeds pendulous ; testa 

 membranous ; embryo very small in the apex of a fleshy albumen.— Trees or 

 shrubs. Leaves alternate, simple, without stipules. Flowers small, in axil- 

 h\ry umbels or cymes, rarely solitary or terminal. Fruits small. 



The Order limited to the large genus Ilex, and two small ones separated from it, is dis- 

 persed over the greater part of Ihe world, but most ahnndant in America, very raie however 

 in Africa, absent from New Zealand, and represented by one species only in Austraiia, 



1. BYEONIA, Endl. 



Petals and stamens 5 or more. Ovary-cells and pyrenes of the fruit 10 or 

 more. Other characters and Iiabit those of the Order. 



Besides the Australian species, which is endemic, the eeuus only comprises two others, 

 from the islands of the Pacific. j i 





