173 



the radicle inferior, and consequently remote from the hilum ; cotyledons divaricate 



Herbaceous plants or nnder-shrubs^ with an aromatic taste. Stems jointed, tumid under 

 •the articulations. Leaves opposite, simple, with sheathing petioles and minute intervening 

 stipulce. Flowers in terminal spikes. 



Affinities. Nearly allied to Saururese and Piperacese, from both 

 which they differ in the want of a sac to the embryo, and in the pendulous 

 ovule, and opposite leaves with intermediate stipulse. Their anthers con- 

 sist of a fleshy mass, upon the face of which the cell lies that bears the 

 pollen; whether these anthers are 1- or 2-celled, is a matter of doubt; 

 one botanist considering those which have 2 cells to be double anthers, 

 another understanding those with 1 cell to be half anthers. Dr. Blume 

 describes a calyx as being sometimes present in a rudimentary state, adher- 

 ing to the ovarium, and hence he suspects some affinity between these plants 

 and Opercularineae. But I am persuaded that no such rudiment exists ; it 

 is not represented in Dr. Blume's figures. 



Geography. Natives of the hot parts of India and South America, the 

 West Indies, and Society Islands. 



Properties. The whole plant of Chi. officinalis has an aromatic fra- 

 grant smell, which is gradually dissipated in drying ; but its roots retain a 

 fragrant camphorated smell, and an aromatic, somewhat bitter, flavour. They 

 are found to possess very nearly the properties of Aristolochia serpentaria, 

 and in as high a degree. There seems to be no doubt that it is a stimulant 

 of the highest order. See Blume Fl. Jav. 



Examples. Chloranthus, Ascarina, Hedyosmum. 



CLXI. LACISTEME^. 



LACiSTEMEiE, Martins N. G. et Sp. PL 1. 154. (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Apetalous dicotyledons, with indefinite ovules, a 1 -celled 

 ovarium with parietal placentae, dehiscent fruit, amentaceous hermaphrodite 

 flowers, and hypogynous unilateral stamens. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character Calyx in several narrow divisions, inferior, covered over 



by a dilated bractea. Corolla wanting. Stamens hypogynous, standing on one side of the 

 ovarium, with a thick 2-lohed connectivum, at the apex of each of which lobes is placed a 

 single cell of an anther, bursting transversely. Ovarium superior, seated in a fleshy disk, 

 1-celled, with several ovula attached to parietal placenta; ; stigmas 2 or 3, sessile or on a 

 style. Fruit capsular, 1-celled, splitting into 2 or 3 valves, each of which bears a placenta in 

 its middle. Seed usually, liy abortion, solitary, suspended, with a fleshy arillus ; integument 

 crustaceous ; alhnmen fleshy; embryo inverted, with plane cotyledons and a superior straight 

 cylindrical radicle. — Small trees or shrubs. Leaves simple, alternate, with stipule. Flo^uers 

 disposed in clustered axillary amenta. 



Affinities. Dr. Von Martins, the founder of this order, which he 

 divides from Urticeae, speaks of it thus : " The peculiar character consists 

 in the presence of a distinct perianthum, while the amentaceous inflorescence 

 is an indication of an affinity with apetalous orders of a lower grade." The 

 same botanist indicates their affinity with Chloranthese in the structure of 

 the filament, and with Samydeae in that of their fruit, " the monadelphous 

 stamens of both which may be perhaps considered a higher kind of evolution 

 of the fleshy disk in the bottom of the flower of Lacistema." In habit they 

 are something like Piperacese, but more arborescent. 



Geography. Natives of low places in woods in equinoctial America. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Example. Lacistema. ' 



