122 



with the placentae in the axis, an imbricated calyx, symmetrical flowers, 

 indefinite exalbuminous winged seeds with a straight embryo, and sub- 

 sessile anthers. 



Anomalies. Flindersia has dotted leaves. 



Essential Character — Calyx 5-cleft, persistent. Petals 5, sessile, inserted at 

 the base of a staminiferous disk, imbricated in aestivation. Stamens 10, inserted on the 

 outside, below the apex of a hypogynous disk ; those which are opposite the petals sterile; 

 anthers acuminate, attached near the base ; their cells side by side, bursting longitudinally. 

 Disk hypogynous, cup-shaped, with 10 plaits. Ovarium superior, 5-celled ; style simple ; 

 stiffma deeply 5-lobed, peltate. Capsule separable into 5 pieces, which are combined at 

 the base, before bursting, with a short central axis, which is finally distinct and persistent. 

 Placenta central, with 5 longitudinal lobes, which occupy the cavities of the capsule, and 

 therefore alternate with the pieces, dividing each cavity in two ; finally becoming loose, and 

 having 2 (or more) seeds on each side. Seeds erect, or ascending, with their apex terminated 

 in a wing ; testa coriaceous, thickened at the base and sides ; albumen 0, (a little, Dec.) ; 

 cotyledons flat, transverse ; radicle transverse, very short, distant from the hilum, (embryo 

 erect, Dec.) — Leaves alternate, without stipulse, compound. Inflorescence terminal, 

 panicled. R. Br. 



Affinities. Nearly related to Meliacea^, in whose affinities they par- 

 ticipate. Chiefly distinguished by their winged and indefinite seeds. Flin- 

 dersia, a genus established by Mr. Brown in the Appendix to Captain 

 Flinders' Voyage, differs from Cedreleas both in the insertion of its seeds, 

 which are erect, in the dehiscence of its capsules, and also in having mov- 

 able dissepiments : these last, however, Mr. Brown considers as segments 

 of a common placenta, having a peculiar form. Flindersia is also distinct 

 from the whole order, in having its leaves dotted with pellucid glands, in 

 which respect it serves to connect Cedrelese with Hesperidese (Aurantiaceaj), 

 and, notwithstanding the absence of albumen, even with Diosmese. See the 

 Appendix and Atlas to Flinders^ Voyage. 



Geography. These are common to America and India, but have not 

 yet been found on the continent of Africa, nor in any of the adjoining 

 islands. Brown Congo, 465. 



Properties. The bark of Cedrela is fragrant and resinous; that of 

 C. Toona, and of Swietenia Mahagoni, is also accounted febrifugal. The 

 mahogany wood used by cabinet-makers is the produce of the last-men- 

 tioned plant. The bark of Swietenia febrifuga, called on the Coromandcl 

 coast the Red Wood Tree, is a useful tonic in India in intermittent fevers ; 

 but Dr. Ainslie found that if given beyond the extent of 4 or 5 drachms 

 in the 24 hours, it deranged the nervous system, occasioning vertigo and 

 subsequent stupor. Oxleya xanthoxyla, a large tree, is the Yellow-wood of 

 New South Wales. 



Examples. Cedrela, Flindersia, Oxleya. 



CVII. HUMIRIACE^. 



UuBiiRiACE/K, Adrien de Jussieu in Aug. de St. Ilil. Flora Bras. Mcrid. 2. 87- (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous sta- 

 mens, concrete carpella, an entire ovarium of 5 cells, an imbricated calyx, 

 symmetrical flowers, definite pendulous ovules, a single style, albuminous 

 seeds, fruit without a woody axis, a dilated conncctivum, and leaves without 

 pellucid dots. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx in .'j divisions. Petals alternate with the lobes 

 of the calyx, and f(jual to them. Stamens hypogynous, 2-celled, 4 or many times as 

 numerous as the petals, monadelphous ; anthers witli a llesliy ctiuuectivum, extended 



