36 



markably fetid, and therefore disagreeable to those who are unaccustomed to 

 it, but it universally becomes in the end a favourite article of the dessert. It is 

 found in the islands of the Indian Archipelago, where it is cultivated extensive- 

 ly ; see Hort. Trans. 5. 106. The seeds of many of the species are enveloped 

 in long hairs, like those of the true Cotton : it is found, however, that the}' can- 

 not be manufactured, in consequence of no adhesion existing between the 

 hairs. This is said to arise from the hairs being perfectly smooth, and destitute 

 of certain asperities found upon the hairs of the true Cotton, to which that 

 plant owes its valuable properties. The woolly coat of the seeds of the Ar- 

 vore de Paina (Chorisia speciosa), and several species of Eriodendron and Bom- 

 bax, is employed in different countries for stuffing cushions, and for similar do- 

 mestic purposes. PI. Us. 63. Helicteres Sacarolha, called by the latter name 

 only in Brazil, is used against venereal disorders : a decoction of the root is ad- 

 ministered. It is supposed that its effects depend upon its mucilaginous pro- 

 perties. Ibid. 64. 



XXVII. STERCULIA CEiE. 



Sterculiaceje, Vent. Malm. 2. 91. (1799.)— Hermanniaceje, Juss. — Bvttne!)iace*, Brown 

 in Flinders, 2. 540, (1814); Kunth. Diss.p.6. (1822); Dec. Prodr. 1. 481. (1824); Aug. 

 St. Hit. Ft. Bras. mer. 1. 139 (1827) ; a section of Malvaceae. 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous monadelphous 

 stamens, concrete carpella, an ovarium of several cells, and the placentae in 

 the axis, a calyx with valvate aestivation, 2-celled anthers bursting longitudi- 

 nally, no disk, and alternate stipulate leaves with stellate pubescence. 



Anomalies. The carpella of Sterculia and Erythropsis are distinct, and 

 their flowers have no petals. True Biittneriaceae have five abortive stamens. 

 Waltheria has but one carpellum, four being abortive. 



Essential Character. — Calyx either naked or surrounded with an involucrum, consist- 

 ing- of 5 sepals, more or less united at the base, with a valvular aestivation. Petals 5, or none, 

 hypogynous, convolute in aestivation, often saccate at the base, and variously lengthened at 

 the apex. Stamens definite or indefinite, monadelphous in various ways, some among- them 

 being- often sterile ; anthers 2-celled, turned outwards. Pistillum. consisting of 5, or rarely 3, 

 carpella, either distinct or cohering- into a single ovarium ; styles equal in number to the car- 

 pella, distinct or united ; orula erect. Fruit capsular, with 3 or 5 cellc Seeds with a stro- 

 phiolate apex, often winged ; albumen oily or fleshy, rarely wanting 1 ; embryo straight, with an 

 inferior radicle; cotyledons cither foliaceous, flat, and plaited, or rolled round the pumula, or 

 else very thick, but this only in the seeds without albumen. — Trees or shrubs. Pubescence 

 often stellate. Leaves alternate, simple, often toothed, with stipula;. Peduncles cymosc. 



Affinities. I lake this order as it is understood by Kunth and Decandolle, 

 without being at all certain that Buttneriacece, as proposed by Mr. Brown, are 

 not really distinct. As it now stands, it comprehends plants very variable in 

 some of their characters, as will appear from the distinctions of the sections 

 enumerated further on. Differing as these do from each other, they are all dis- 

 tinguished from their nearest allies, Malvaceae, by their 2 -celled anthers, and 

 from Tiliacere and Elaeocarpere by their monadelphous stamens. Their valvate 

 calyx is the great mark of combination which unites them with these last-men- 

 tioned orders. The fruit of Sterculia often exhibits beautiful illustrations of the 

 real nature of that form of fruit which botanists call the follicle, and helps to 

 demonstrate that it, and hence all simple carpella, are formed of leaves, the 

 sides of which are inflexed, and the margins dilated into placenta;, bearing 

 ovula. In Sterculia platanifolia, in particular, the follicles burst and acquire 

 the form of coriaceous leaves, bearing the seeds upon their margin. But, not- 

 withstanding this peculiarity of the distinct carpella, on account of which 



