222 



the stamens of which are at least double the number of the lobes of the 

 corolla. R. Br. They are also closely allied to Ilicineae, from which they 

 chiefly differ in the number of their stamens and their divided sexes. For 

 their resemblance to Sapoteae, see that order. Styracese were combined with 

 them by Jussieu. 



Geography. Chiefly Indian and tropical; a very few are found north- 

 wards as far as Switzerland in Europe, and the state of New York, in North 

 America. 



Pkoperties. Remarkable only for the hardness and blackness of the 

 wood, and the eatable quality of the fruit. The former is well known under 

 the name of Ebony and Ironwood; the latter are occasionally introduced 

 from China as a dry sweetmeat. They are noted for their extreme acer- 

 bity before arriving at maturity. The bark of Diosp. virginiana is said to be 

 a febrifuge. 



Examples. Diospyrus, Maba, Ferreola. 



CCIII. COLUMELLIACE^. 



CoLUMELLiEiE, Don in Edinb. New Phil. Journ. {Dec. 1828). 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous diandrous dicotyledons, with an inferior 2- 

 celled many-seeded ovarium, opposite leaves, and regular flowers. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx turbinate, superior, many-toothed. Corolla rotate, 

 6-8-parted, with a convolute aestivation. Stamens 2, inserted in the throat ; anthers linear, 

 either sinuous or straight, 1- or 2-ceUed. Ovarium inferior, 2-ceUed, with an indefinite 

 number of ovules ; style simple, declinate ; stigma capitate. Disk perigynous. Fruit cap- 

 sular, 2-celled, many-seeded, with a septicidal incomplete dehiscence. Seeds ascending; 



testa polished; embryo taper, erect, in the axis of fleshy albumen Shrubs, trees, or 



herbaceous plants. Leaves opposite, without stipulae, entire. Flowers solitary-, yellow. 



Affinities. Only known from the remarks of Mr. Don, from whom 

 the foregoing has been abridged. He thinks them near Jasminetc, with 

 which they correspond " in the structure and sestivation of their corolla, in 

 their bilocular ovarium, and erect (?) ovula ; and they agree both with 

 them and Syringa in the structure and dehiscence of their capsule. They 

 differ, however, essentially from Jasmineae, by having an adherent ovarium, 

 by the presence of a perigynous disk, by the undivided stigma, and, lastly, 

 by having an inferior capsule with polyspermous cells." Mr. Don further 

 thinks they connect Jasmineae with Oleaceae. 



Geography. Mexican and Peruvian plants. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Examples. Columellia, Menodora. 



CCIV. JASMINE.E. The Jasmine Tribe. 



JasminejTE, Jnss. Gen. Plant. 104. (1789) in part; R. Brotvn Prodr. 520. (1810). 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with regular flowers, a superior 

 2-celled ovarium with erect seeds, 2 stamens, and an imbricate corolla. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Cuahacteii — Calyx divided <>r toothed, persistent. Corolla monope- 

 talous, hypygynoiis, regular, hypocrateriforni, with from 5 to8divisious, which lie laterally 



