71 



bably more rapid on the east than on the west coast. Within the tropic, on 

 the east coast, no genera have hitherto been observed, which are not also 

 found beyond it; unless that section of Grevillea, which I have called Cy- 

 cloptera, be considered as a genus ; whereas, at the southern limit of the 

 order several genera make their tippearance, which do not occur in its chief 

 parallel. The most numerous genera are also the most widely diffused. Thus 

 Grevillea, Hakea, Banksia, a^id Persoonia, extensive in species in the order in 

 which they are here mentioned, are spread nearly in the same proportion ; 

 and they are likewise the only genera that have as yet been observed within 

 the tropic. Of such of the remaining genera as consist of several species, 

 some, as Isopogon, Petrophila, Conospermum, and Lambertia, are found in 

 every part of the principal parallel, but hardly exist beyond it. Others, 

 as Josephea and Synaphea,. equally limited to this parallel, have been observed 

 only towards its western extremity ; while Embothrium (comprehending, for 

 the present, under this name all the many-seeded plants of the order), which 

 is chiefly found on the east coast, and makes very little progress towards the 

 west, advances to the utmost limit of south latitude, and there ascends to the 

 summits of the highest mountains. Genera consisting of one or very few 

 species, and which exhibit generally the most remarkable deviations from the 

 usual structure of the order, are the most local, and are found either in the 

 principal parallel, or in the highest latitude. The range of species in the 

 whole of the order seems to be very limited; and the few cases which may 

 be considered as exceptions to this, occur in the most extensive genera, and 

 in such of their species as are most strictly natives of the shores. Thus 

 Banksia integrifolia, which grows more within the influence of the sea than 

 any plant of the order, is probably also the most widely extended, at least 

 in one direction, being found within the tropic, and in as high a latitude as ■ 

 40°. It is remarkable, however, that with so considerable a range in latitude, 

 its extension in longitude is comparatively small : and it is still more worthy 

 of notice, that no species of this family has been found common to the 

 eastern and western shores of New Holland." Broion in Linn. Trans. 10. 



Properties. Handsome evergreen shrubs, much prized by gardeners 

 for the neatness of their appearance, and beauty or singularity of their flow- 

 ers ; but of no known use, except as fire-wood, for which theyare commonly 

 employed at the Cape of Good Hope. 



Examples. Protea, Banksia, Dryandra, Grevillea. 



LXI. PEN^ACE^. 



Pen.eaceje, R. Broivn, verbally (1820) ; Guillemin in Diet. Class, 13. 171- (1828) ; 

 Martins Hort. Monac. (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Apetalous dicotyledons, with definite ovula, a 4-celled 

 ovarium, and a solid homogeneous embryo. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx inferior, with 2 or more bractese at its base, hy- 

 pocraterit'orm, witli a 4-lobed limb valvate in aestivation, or deeply 4-parted imbricated 

 in estivation. 5'towe»s either 4, arising from below tlie recesses of the limb, with which 

 they alternate, or {!, arising from near the base of tlie calyx ; anthers 2-celled, turned 

 inwards, usually with membranous valves lying on the face of a thick fleshy connectivum, 

 sometimes with fleshy valves, and an obliterated connectivum. Ovarium superior, 

 4-celled, with a simple style and 4 stigmas ; ovules either ascending, collateral, in pairs, or 

 solitary and suspended ; the foramen always next the placenta. Fruit capsular, 4-celled, 



