221 



the number of its divisions. Stamens arising from the corolla, regular, agreeing in number 

 with the segments of the calyx ; anthers deeply lobed at the base. Ovarium superior, sur- 

 rounded by an annuhtr disk, 2- or 3-celled ; styles 2 or 3 ; stigmas thickened. Ffnit cap- 

 sular, enclosed in the calyx, 2- rarely 3-celled, splitting through the middle of the cells ; 

 valves therefore bearing the dissepiments in their middle ; placentce either single and fun- 

 gous, or double and thin. Seeds indefinite, very small ; albitnien fleshy, in the axis of which 



lies a taper, straight embryo Herbaceous plants or niider-shriibs, sometimes spiny. 



Leaves alternate, entire, or lobed, without sti pulse, often covered with glandular or stinging 

 hairs. Flowers numerous, axillary and terminal. 



Affinities. Separated from Convolvulaceae by Mr. Brown, on account 

 of their indefinite seeds, and taper embryo with small flat cotyledons in the 

 midst of fleshy albumen. To nie they appear equally related to Boragineee, 

 with some of which Wigandia agrees in habit. Also related to Hydiophyllese, 

 the membranous plates lining the tube of the corolla of that order being, ac- 

 cording to Von Martius {N. G. 2. 138), analogous to the dilated base of the 

 filaments of Hydroleacse. 



Geogkapiiy. No particular geographical limits can be assigned to 

 this order. Diapensia is found in Lapland, Wigandia in the Caraccas, Hy- 

 drolea in the West Indies, and Nania in both the East and West Indies. 



Properties. Unknown, except that a bitter principle exists in Hy- 

 drolea.- 



Examples. Hydrolea, Nama, Sagonea, Wigandia, Diapensia, 



ecu. EBENACE^. The Ebony Tribe. 



GuAiACAN.?:, Juss. Gen. 155. (1789) part of the first sect — Ebenace.'E, Vent. Tabl. 



443.(1709); Brotun Prorfr. 524. (1810) EsENACEiE, § Diospyreae, Dec. and 



Duby, 320. (1829). 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with superior several-ceiled 

 ovarium, regular (unisexual) flowers, definite pendulous collateral ovules, 

 a 3-6-iobed corolla with the stamens some multiple of its lobes, and albumi- 

 nous seeds. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character — Floivers polygamous or direcious, seldom hermaphrodite. 

 Calyx in .3 or G divisions, nearly equal, persistent. Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, 

 regular, deciduous, somewhat coriaceous, usually pubescent externally, and smooth inter- 

 nally; its limb with 3 or 6 divisions, imbricated in aestivation. 5'tomCTts definite, either 

 arising from the corolla, or hypog\'nous ; twice as many as the segments of the corolla, 

 sometimes 4 times as many, or the same number, and then alternate with them ; filaments 

 simple in the hermaphrodite species, generally doubled in the polygamous and dioecious 

 ones, both their divisions bearing anthers, but the inner one generally smaller; anthers 

 attached by their base, lanceolate, 2-celled, dehiscing lengthwise, sometimes bearded ; 

 pollen round, smooth. Ovarium sessile, without any disk, several-celled, the cells each 

 having 1 or 2 ovules pendulous from their apex; style divided, seldom simple; stigmas 

 bifid, or simple. Fruit fleshy, round or oval, by abortion often few-seeded, its pericarpium 

 sometimes opening in a regular manner. Seed with a membranous testa of the same figure 

 as the alhumen. which is cartilaginous and white; embryo in the axis, or but little out of 

 it, straight, white, generally more than half as lung as the albumen ; cotyledons foliaceous, 

 somewhat veiny, lying close together, occasionally shghtly separate ; radicle taper, of mid- 

 dling length or long, turned towards the hilum ;' plu/nula inconspicuous — Trees or shrubs, 

 without milk, ami a heavy wood. Leaves alternate, without stipulae, obsoletely articulated 

 with the stem, quite entire, coriaceous. Inflorescence axillary. Peduncles solitary, those 

 of the males divided, of the females usually 1 -flowered, with minute bracteae. R. Br. 



Affinities. ^ ery near Oleacea?, with which they agree in the 

 placeiitation of the seeds and other points of structure ; distinguished by 

 their . altcniate leaves, constantly axillary and usually unisexual flowers, 



