46 



multiples, instead of three or four, which obtains in Hypericinese ; in their 

 anthers united the whole length with the filament, and not articulated at 

 the summit; in their seeds, which often have an arillus, and are solitary in 

 each cell of the ovarium, a character found in no Hypericineae (the mono- 

 spermous cells of the fruit of some Vismias is due to abortion) ; finally, in the 

 structure of the embryo, which is different in the two orders. Marcgraavi- 

 aceae are disinguished by their alternate leaves, the singular form of their 

 lower bractese, their petals frequently united, and by their seeds being very 

 small, and exceedingly numerous. 



Geogr.apiiy. All natives of the tropics, the greater part of South Ame- 

 rica; a few are from Madagascar, none from the continent of Africa. They 

 o-enerally require situations combining excessive heat and humidity. 



Properties. Tlie species all abound in a viscid, yellow, acrid, and 

 purgative gum-resinous juice resembling Gamboge. According to some, the 

 Stalagmitis Gambogioides yields the gum-resin called Gamboge, which is 

 obtained by removing the bark or by breaking the leaves and young shoots. 

 This susbtance, or something approaching it very nearly, is also obtained from 

 Garcinia celebica, and a plant named Gambogia gutta. The powerful drastic 

 cathartic properties of Gamboge are well known. If dissolved in water, and 

 examined beneath a very powerful microscope, this substance will be found 

 to consist entirely of active molecules. According to Dr. Hamilton, there is 

 no ground for supposing the Gamboge to be produced by Garcinia Gambogia, 

 as some have believed. L. Tr. 13. 485. In the West Indies the juice of 

 Mammea is employed to destroy the chiggers, little insects which attack the 

 naked feet, introducing themselves into the flesh below the toe-nails. The 

 bark of many kinds is astringent and slightly vermifugal. The berry of 

 Garcinia Mangostana is believed to be the most grateful to the palate of all 

 the fruits that are known. The Butter and Tallow-tree of Sierra Leone, which 

 owes its name (Pentadesma butyracea) to the yellow greasy juice its fruit yields 

 when cut, belongs to this order. 



Examples. Garcinia, Calophyllum, Clusia. 



XXXV. MARCGRAAVIACE^. 



MABCGRAAViACEyE, Juss. Ann. Mus. 14. 397. (1809) ; Dec. Prodr. 1. 565. (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous indefinite sta- 

 mens, concrete carpella, an ovarium of several cells with the placenta; in the 

 axis, a persistent imbricated many-leaved calyx, alternate simple leaves and 

 indefinite seeds. 



Anomalies. The corolla is calyptriform in Antholoma and Marc- 

 graavia. 



Essential Character. — 5'£'/)rt/s from 2 to 7, usually coriaceous and imbricated. 

 Corolla hypogynous ; sometimes monopetalous, (•aly])triform, entire, or torn at the point, 

 sometimes consistinf^ of five jjetals. Stamens indefinite, inserted eitlier on the receptacle 

 or on a hypogynous memhrane ; Jilameiit.s dilated at tlie base; anthers long, innate, 

 bursting inwards. Ovarmm single, superior, usually furrowed, many-celled, many-seeded; 

 style single; stigma single or capitate; ovnla numerous, attached to a central placenta. 

 Capsule coriaceous, consisting of several valves which separate slightly; dissepiments pro- 

 ceeding from the middle of the valves, but not meeting in the centre, so that the fruit is 1- 

 celled. Seeds very minute and numerous, nestling in pulp — .S'Arw/w, having sometimes a 

 scrambling habit. Leaves alternate. Flowers in umbels or spikes. Peduncles naked, or 

 furnished with either simple or cucullate hollow liractew. 



Affinities. The station of this order is uncertain ; it approaches Eben- 

 acese in its monopetalous corolla cut round at the base, in the anthers attached 



