52 



XLII. HAMAMELIDE^. The Witcii-Hazel Tribe. 



HAMAMELiDEiE, /?. Br. in Abel's Voyage to China, (1818) ; A. liichard Nouv. El^m. 



532. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with perigynous stamens twice 

 the number of the petals, concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium of 2 cells with 

 solitary pendulous ovules, alternate leaves, deciduous stipulas, valvate calyx, 

 linear valvate-involute petals, and deciduous valves to the anthers. 



Anomalies. Fothergilla is apetalous. 



Essential Character Calyx superior, in 4 pieces. Petals 4, linear, with a val- 

 vular aistivation. Stametis 8, of which 4 are alternate with the petals ; their anthers turned 

 inwards, 2-celled, each cell opening by a valve which is finally deciduous, and 4 are sterile, 

 and placed at the base of the petals. Ovarium 2-cened, inferior ; oi'ulcs solitary, pendulous 

 or suspended ; styles 2. Fruit half inferior, capsular, usually opening; with two sei)tiferous 

 valves. Seeds pendulous ; embryo in the midst of fleshy albumen ; radicle superior — Shrubs. 

 Leaves alternate, deciduous, toothed, with veins running from the midrib straight to the 

 margin. Stipules deciduous. Flowers small, axillary. 



Affinities. Distinguished from Saxifragea^ by the deciduous valves 

 of the anthers, definite seeds, and shrubby stem bearing alternate leaves and 

 deciduous stipulco. In the latter respect related to Cupuliferfe, from which 

 the petals and calyx divide them. According to Mr. Brown, their affinity is 

 on the one hand with Bruniacese, from which they are distinguished by the 

 insertion and dehiscence of the anthers, the monospermous cells of the ova- 

 rium, the dehiscence of the capsule, the quadrifid calyx and habit ; and on 

 the other with Cornus, Marlea, and the neighbouring genera ; in some respects 

 also with Araliacea:), but differing in their capsular fruit, the structure of the 

 anthers, and other marks. See AbeVs Voyage, Appendix. 



Geoguapiiy. Natives of North America and Japan, or the north of 

 China. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Examples. Hamamelis, Fothergilla. 



XLIII. PHILADELPHEiE. The Syringa Tribe. 



Philadelpiie^e, Don in Jamesoii's Journal, 133. {April 1826) ; Dec. Prodr. 3. 205. 



(1828.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with indcfiiiite perigynous sta- 

 mens, concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium of several cells, round anthers, 

 indefinite ovula, and albuminous seeds. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character Calyx superior, with a persistent limb, having from 4 to 10 



divisions. Petals alternate with the segments of the calyx, and e(iual to them in number, 

 with a convolute-imbricate jpstivation. Stamens indefinite, arising in 1 or 2 rows from the 

 orifice of the calyx. Styles either distinct, or consolidated into one ; stigmas several. Cap- 

 sule half inferior, with from 4 to 10 cells, many. seeded. Seeds scobiform, subulate, smooth, 

 heaped in the angles of the cells njjon an angular placenta; arillns? loose, meml)ranous. 

 Albumen fleshy; embryo inverted, about as long as the albumen ; cotyledons oval, obtuse, 

 flattish ; radicle longer than the cotyledons, superior, straight, obtuse — Shrubs. Leaves 

 deciduous, opposite, toothed, without dots or stipula?. Peduncles axillary or terminal, in 

 trichotomous cymes. Flowers always white. 



Afkinities. The genera of this order were formerly referred to Myr- 

 taceaj ; and I think there is a dissertation by the late President of the Liu- 



