24 



distinctly with the stem ; with deciduous stipulse, which, when young, arc rolled together like 

 those of Ficus. Flowers large, solitary, often strongly odoriferous. 



Affinities. Nearly related to Dilleniaceas, from which they are chiefly 

 distinguished by the ternary, not quinary, arrangement of the parts of the 

 flower ; from Anonacea:, to which they also approach, their stipulae and solid 

 albumen separate them. Their stipulation points out their affinity with Urti- 

 ceee ; their imbricate petals and sepals, and numerous ovaria, with Calycan- 

 theffi, and through them with Monimieae. 



Geography. The focus of this order is undoubtedly North American, 

 where the woods, the swamps, and the sides of the hills, abound with them. 

 Thence they straggle, on the one hand, into the West India Islands, and, on 

 the other, into India, through China and Japan. Mr. Brown remarks (Congo, 

 465), that no species have been found on the continent of Africa, or in any of 

 the adjoining islands. Twenty-eight species are all that M. Decandolle enu- 

 merates. 



Properties. The general character of the order is, to have a bitter tonic 

 taste, and fragrant flowers. The latter produce a decided action upon the 

 nerves, which, according to Decandolle, induces sickness and headach from 

 Magnolia tripetala, and, on the authority of Barton, is so stimulating on the 

 part of Magnolia glauca as to produce paroxysms of fever, and even an 

 attack of inflammatory gout. The bark has been found to be destitute of tan- 

 nin and gallic acid, notwithstanding its intense bitterness. The bark of the 

 root of Magnolia glauca is an important tonic. Barton, 1. 77. [Bigclow, 2. 67.] 

 The same property is found in the Lirioden/hon tulipifera, which has even been 

 said to be equal to Peruvian bark. [Barton, 7. 92. Bigelow, 2. 107.] Mi 

 chelia Doltsopa is one of the finest trees in Nipal, yielding an excellent fra- 

 grant wood, much used in that country for house-building. Don. Proclr. 226. 

 Magnolia excelsa has a valuable timber, called Champ, at first greenish, but 

 soon changing into a pale yellow ; the texture is fine. Wallich. Tent. 7. The 

 cones of Magnolia acuminata yield, in Virginia, a spirituous tincture, which is 

 employed with some success in rheumatic affections ; and the seeds of most 

 species are remarkable for their bitterness : those of M. Yulan are employed in 

 China as febrifuges, under the name of Tsin-y. Dec. No Magnoliaceee are 

 aromatic. 



Examples. Magnolia, Liriodendron. 



XVI. DILLEN1ACE/E. 



Djlleniaceje, Dec. St/at. 1. 395. (1818) ; Prodi: 1. G7. (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous stamens, anthers 

 bursting with longitudinal slits, distinct simple carpella, exstipulate leaves, solid 

 albumen, and arillate seeds. 



Anomalies. In several genera of the section Delimaceae there is but one 

 carpellum ; and in Dillenia and Colbcrtia the carpella partly cohere. 



Essential Character. — Sepals 5, persistent, 2 exterior, 3 interior. Petals 5, deciduous, 

 hypogynous, in a single row. Stamens indefinite, hypogynoufl, arising' from a torus, either 

 distinct or polyadalphous, and either placed regularly around the pistilluin or on one side ol it. 

 Filaments dilated either at the base or apex. Anthers adnate, 2-celled, usually bursting longi- 

 tudinally, always turned inwards. Ovaria definite, more or less distinct, with a terminal style 

 and simple stigma ; ovules ascending. Fruit consisting cither of from 2 to 1 5 distinct unilocu- 

 lar carpella, or of a similar number cohering together ; the carpella cither baccate or 2-valved, 

 pointed by the style. Seeds fixed in a double row to the inner edge of the carpella, either 

 several or only 2, occasionally solitary by abortion ; surrounded by a pulpy arillus. Testa 



