st'des remarks that Guttiferae differ from Hypericinett in their branches, their 

 leaves, and their articulated peduncles ; in the normal number of the parts of 

 their flowers, which appears to be two and its multiples, instead of three or 

 four, which obtains in Hypericineae; in their anthers united the whole length 

 with the filament, and not articulated at the summit ; in their seeds, which of- 

 ten have an arillus, and are solitary in each cell of the ovarium, a character 

 found in no Hypericineae (the monospermous cells of the fruit of some Vismias 

 is due to abortion) ; finally, in the structure of the embryo, which is different 

 in the two orders. Marcgraaviaceae are distinguished by their alternate leaves, 

 the singular form of their lower bracteae, their petals frequently united, and by 

 their seeds being very small, and exceedingly numerous. 



Geography. All natives of the tropics, the greater part of South Ameri- 

 ca ; a few are from Madagascar, none from the continent, of Africa. They 

 generally require situations combining excessive heat and humidity. 



Properties. The species all abound in a viscid, yellow, acrid, and purga- 

 tive gum-resinous juice resembling Gamboge. According to some, the Sta- 

 lagmitis Gambogioides yields the gum-resin called Gamboge, which is obtained 

 by removing the bark or by breaking the leaves and young shoots. This sub- 

 stance, or something approaching it very nearly, is also obtained from Garci- 

 nia celebica, and a plant named Gambogia gutta. The powerful drastic ca- 

 thartic properties of Gamboge are well known. If dissolved in water, and ex- 

 amined beneath a very powerful microscope, this substance will be found to. 

 consist entirely of active molecules. According to Dr. Hamilton, there is no 

 ground for supposing the Gamboge to be produced by Garcinia Cambogia, as 

 some have believed. L. Tr. 13. 485. In the West Indies the juice of Mam- 

 mea is employed to destroy the chiggers, little insects which attack the naked 

 feet, introducing themselves into the flesh below the toe-nails. The bark of 

 many kinds is astringent and slightly vermifugal. The berry of Garcinia 

 Mangostana is believed to be the most grateful to the palate of all the fruits 

 that are known. The Butter and Tallow-tree of Sierra Leone, which owes 

 its name (Pentadesma butyracea) to the yellow greasy juice which its fruit 

 yields when cut, belongs to this order. 



Examples. Garcinia, Calophyllum, Clusia. 



XXXV. MARCGRAAVIACEAE. 



Marcgra aviaceje, Jusb. Ann. Mas. 14. 397. (1809) ; Dec. Prodr. 1. 565. (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous indefinite sta- 

 mens, concrete carpella, an ovarium of several cells with the placentae in the 

 axis, a persistent imbricated many-leaved calyx, alternate simple leaves and in- 

 definite seeds. 



Anomalies. The corolla is calyptriform in Antholorna and Marcgraavia. 



Essential Character. — Sepals from 2 to 7, usually coriaceous and imbricated. Corolla 

 hypogynous ; sometimes monopetalous, calyptriform, entire, or torn at the point, sometimes 

 consisting - of five petals. Stamens indefinite, inserted either on the receptacle or on a hypo- 

 gynous membrane ; filaments dilated at the lias*-; anthers long', innate, bursting inwards. 

 Ovarium single, superior, usually furrowed, many-celled, many-seeded ; style single; stigma 

 single or capitate; orvla numerous, attached to a central placenta. Capsule coriaceous, con- 

 sisting of several valves which separate slightly; dissepiments proceeding from the middle 

 of the valves, but not meeting- in the centre, so that the fruit is 1-celled. Seeds, very minute 

 and numerous, nestling in pulp. — Shrubs, having sometimes a scrambling habit. Leaves al- 

 ternate. Flowers in umbels or spikes. Peduncles naked, or furnished with either simple or 

 cucullate hollow braciece. 



