118 



Properties. They are only known for the sugary sap of Acer saccha- 

 rinurn and other species, from which sugar is extracted in abundance. 

 Examples. Acer, Negundium. 



CII. ERYTHROXYLEiE. 



EaYTiiROXYLE.€, KiiTith in Humb. N. G. Am. 5. 175. (1821) ; Dec. Prodr. 1. 573. (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous sta- 

 mens, concrete carpelia, an entire ovarium of 1 cell, an imbricated calyx, 

 symmetrical flowers, definite pendulous ovules, distinct sessile stigmas, and 

 drupaceous fruit. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character — Sepals 5, combined at the base, persistent. Petals 5, 

 hypogynous, broad at the base, with a plaited scale there, equal, the margins lying 

 upon each other in ffistivation. Stamens 10 ; filaments combined at the base into a cup ; 

 anthers innate, erect, 2-celled, dehiscing lengthwise. Ovarium 1-celled, or .3-celled, with 

 2 cells spurious ; styles 2, distinct ; stigmas 3, somewhat capitate, or united almost to the 

 point; or «/«>« solitary, pendulous. FrjaV drupaceous, 1 -seeded. &erf angular; albumen 

 corneous; embryo hnear, straight, central; cotyledons linear, flat, leafy; radicle superior, 



taper, straight; plumula inconspicuous Shrtihs or trees ; young shoots often compressed 



and covered with acute imbricated scales. Leaves alternate, seldom opjwsite, usually 

 smooth; stipules axillary. Flowers small, whitish or greenish. Peduncles with bractea; 

 at the base. 



Affinities. Separated from Malpighiaceae by Kunth on account of 

 the appendages of the petals, the presence of albumen, the fruit being often 

 1-celled by abortion, and their peculiar habit. Dec. Mr. Brown suggests 

 that Erythroxylon belongs to Malpighiaceae, or at least that it approximates 

 very closely to that family. Congo, 426. 



Geography. Chiefly West Indian and South American, A few are 

 found in the East Indies, and several in the Mauritius and Madagascar. 



Properties. The wood of some is bright red; that of E. hyperici- 

 folium is called in the Isle of France Bois d'huile. A permanent reddish 

 brown dye is obtained from the bark of Erythroxylum suberosum, called in 

 Brazil Gallinha choca and Mercurio do campo. PL Us. 6d. 



Examples. Erythroxylum, Sethia. 



cm. MALPlGHIACEiE. The Barbadoes Cheury Tribe. 



Mali'iguiace^e, Juss. Gen. 252. (178!)); Ann. Mus. 18. 479.(1811); Dec. Prodr. 



I. 577. (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous sta- 

 mens, concrete carpelia, a nearly entire ovarium of 3 cells, a glandular im- 

 bricated calyx, symmetrical flowers, definite pendulous ovules, a single style, 

 exalbuminous seeds, fruit without a woody axis, unguiculate petals, and 

 leaves without pellucid dots. 



Anomalies. Styles sometimes distinct. Leaves in an African species 

 alternate. Petals occasionally wanting. 



Essential Character Sepals 5, slightly combined, persistent. Petals 5, un- 

 guiculate, inserted in a hypogynous disk, occasionally rather unequal, very seldom want- 

 ing. Stamens 10, alternate with the petals, seldom fewer, occtsioually solitary: filament.' 



