25 



some success in rheumatic affections ; and the seeds of most species are re- 

 markable for their bitterness : those of M. Yulan are employed in China as 

 febrifuges, under the name of Tsin-y. Dec. No Magnohaceae are aromatic. 

 Examples. Magnolia, Liriodendron. 



XVI. DILLENIACE^. 



DiLLENiACE^E, Dcc. Syst. 1. 395. (1818); Prodr. 1. 67- (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous stamens, 

 anthers bursting by longitudinal slits, distinct simple carpella, exstipulate 

 leaves, solid albumen, and arillate seeds. 



Anomalies. In several genera of the section Delimacese there is but 

 one carpellum ; and in Dillenia and Colbertia the carpella partly cohere. 



Essential Character. — Sepals 5, persistent, 2 exterior, 3 interior. Petals 5, 

 deciduous, hypogynous, in a single row. Stamens indefinite, hjrpogynoiis, arising from a 

 torus, either distinct or polyadelphous, and either placed regularly around the pistilhim or 

 on one side of it. Filaments dilated either at the base or apex. Anthers adnate, 2-celled, 

 usually bursting longitudinally, always turned inwards. Ovaria definite, more or less dis- 

 tinct, with a terminal style and simple stigma ; ovules ascending. Fruit consisting either 

 of from 2 to 5 distinct unilocular carpella, or of a similar number cohering together ; the 

 carpella either baccate or 2.valved, pointed by the style. Seeds fixed in a double row to the 

 inner edge of the carpella, either several or only 2, occasionally solitary by abortion ; sur. 

 rounded by a pulpy arillus. Testa hard. Embryo minute, lying in the base of fleshy albu- 

 men Trees^ shrubs, or under-shrubs. Leaves usually alternate, almost always without 



stipulas, very seldom opposite, most commonly coriaceous, with strong veins running 

 straight from the midrib to the margin, entire or toothed, often separating from the base 

 of the petiole, which remains adhering to the stem. Flowers solitary, in terminal racemes 

 or panicles, often yellow. 



Affinities. These are nearly akin to Magnoliaceee, from which they 

 are distinguished by their want of stipulee and quinary arrangement of the 

 parts of fructification ; and to Ranunculacese, from which their persistent 

 calyx, stamens, and whole habit, divide them. They are universally charac- 

 terised by the presence of arillus ; a peculiarity which certainly exists in Hib- 

 bertia, notwithstanding M. Decandolle's definition of that genus. The most 

 genuine form of the order is known by the veins of the leaves running straight 

 from the midrib to the margin. 



Geography. According to Decandolle, 50 of this order are found in 

 Australasia, 21 in India and its neighbourhood, 3 in equinoctial Africa, and 

 21 in equinoctial America; but since the publication of the Sy sterna several 

 have been added, both to the Indian and South American species. 



Properties. Dilleniacese are generally astringent. The Brazilians make 

 use of a decoction of Davilla rugosa in swellings of the legs and testicles, 

 very common maladies in hot and humid parts of South America. PI. 

 Usuelles, no. 22. Davilla elliptica is also astringent, and furnishes the 

 vulnerary called Camb'dibinha in Brazil. Ibid. 23. In Curatella Cambaiba 

 the same astringent principle recommends its decoction as an excellent wash 

 for wounds. Ibid. 24. The young calyces of Dillenia scabrella and speciosa 

 have a pleasantly acid taste, and are used in curries by the inhabitants of 

 Chittagong and Bengal. Wallich. Almost all Delimacege have the leaves 

 covered with asperities, which are sometimes so hard that the leaves are even 

 used for polishing. 



Two tribes are distinguished in this family: — 



