25 



hard. Embryo minute, lying - in the base of fleshy albumen. — Trees, shrub.':, or imdcr-shrubs. 

 Leaves usually alternate, almost always without stipuke, very seldom opposite, most commonly 

 coriaceous!, with strong - veins running straight from t ho mid rib to the margin, entire or toothed, 

 often separating from the base of the petiole, which remains adhering to the stein. Flowers 

 solitary, in terminal racemes or panicles, often yellow. 



Affinities. These are nearly akin to Ma gnoliacea?, from which they are 

 distinguished by their want of stipulae and quinary arrangement of the parts 

 of fructification ; and to Ranunculacea?, from which their persistent calyx, sta- 

 mens, and whole habit, divide them. They are universally characterized by 

 the presence of arillus ; a peculiarity which certainly exists in Hibertia, not- 

 withstanding M. Decandolle's definition of that genus. The most genuine 

 form of the order is known by the veins of the leaves running straight from 

 the midrib to the margin. 



Geography. According to Decandolle, 50 of this order arc found in Aus- 

 tralasia, 21 in India and its neighbourhood, 3 in equinoctial Africa, and 21 in 

 equinoctial America ; but since the publication of the Sy3lema several have 

 been added, both to the Indian and South American species. 



Properties. Dilleniaceae are generally astringent. The Brazilians make 

 use of a decoction of Da villa rugosa in swellings of the legs and other parts, very 

 common maladies in hot and humid parts of South America. PI. Usuelles, no. 

 22. Da villa elliptica is also astringent, and furnishes the vulnerary called 

 Cambdibinha in Brazil. Ibid. 23. In Curatella Cambai'ba the same astrin- 

 gent principle recommends its decoction as an excellent wash for wounds. Ibid. 

 24. The young calyces of Dillenia scabrella and speciosa have a pleasantly 

 acid taste, and are used in curries by the inhabitants of Chittagong and Ben- 

 gal. Wallich. Almost all Delimaceee have the leaves covered with asperi- 

 ties which are sometimes so hard that the leaves are even used for polishing. 



Two tribes are distinguished in this family : 



1. § Delimaceee. 



§ Delimacere. Dec. Sijst. 1. 396. (1818) ; Prodr. 1. 67. (1824.) 

 Filaments filaform, dilated at the apex, and bearing on each side a round dis- 

 tinct cell of the anther. Ovaria from 1 to 5. Styles filiform, acute. Carpella 

 capsular, bladdery, or baccate, usually 1 or 2-seeded. — Trees or shrubs, Which 

 sometimes twine. Dec. 



Examples. Tetracera, Delima. 



2. § DlLLENEiE. 



Dilleneaj. Salis. Parad. Lond. n. 73. (1806) ; § Dec. Sijst. 1. 411. (1818) ; 

 Prodr. 1.70. (1824.) 



Filaments not dilated at the apex, anthers elongate, adnatc. Ovaria usually 

 from 2 to 5, distinct, rarely solitary ; or from 5 to 20, partially connate. — Trees 

 or shrubs, very seldom twining. Dec. Floioers often fragrant or foetid. 



Examples. Dillenia, Hibbertia. 



XVII. WINTERED. The Winter's Bark Tribe. 



Winteue*, R. Brown in Dccand. S>/s(. 1. 548. (1818.)— Illicie^e Dec. Prodr. 1. 77. (1S24.) a 



section of Magnoliacea;. 

 14 



