CI 



with superior ovarium, a structure which was at one time supposed not to exist 

 in the order ; and, finally, in the remarkable genus Sonerila, the leaves are 

 sometimes not ribbed. 



The greatest affinity of Melastomaceae is on the one hand with Salicariae, on 

 the other with Myrtaceae ; from the former they differ in the aestivation of their 

 calyx not being valvate, from the latter in having the petals twisted before ex- 

 pansion and no dots on the leaves, and from both, and all others to which they 

 can be compared, in their long anthers bent down parallel to the filaments in 

 the flower, and lying in niches between the calyx and ovarium ; with the ex- 

 ception of Memecyleae, in which, however, the union between the calyx and 

 ovarium is complete, and which have leaves destitute of the lateral ribs that so 

 strongly point out Melastomaceae. The structure of the seeds of Memecyleae is 

 also different. 



From differences in the" dehiscence of the anthers, Decandolle forms two 

 sub-orders, viz. : 



UWUIUUO, tUl. ■ 



1. True Melastomas. 



Anthers opening by pores at the apex. 

 Examples.. Melastoma, Rhexia. 



2. Chariantheje. 



Anthers opening by 2 longitudinal fissures. 



Examples. Charianthus, Astronia. 



Geography. Found neither in Europe nor Asia in the temperate zone, nor 

 in Africa north of the desert of Zahara, nor south of Brazil in South America, 

 nor in extra-tropical Africa to the south. Beyond the tropics, 8 are found in the 

 United States, 3 in China, and 3 in New Holland. Of the remainder, it ap- 

 pears that 78 are described from India or the Indian Archipelago, 12 from Africa 

 and the adjacent islands, and 620 from America. Dec. 



Properties. A slight degree of astringency is the prevailing character of 

 the order, which is, although one of the most extensive known, entirely desti- 

 tute of any unwholesome species. The succulent fruit of many is eatable, some 

 of which dye the mouth black, whence the name of Melastoma. Blakea trip- 

 linervia produces a yellow fruit, which is pleasant and eatable, in the woods of 

 Guiana. Hamilt. Prodr. 42. 



LV. MEMECYLEAE. 



Memecyleae, Dec. Prodr. 3. 5. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite perigynous stamens, 

 concrete carpella, an inferior ovarium with several cells, 1 -ribbed leaves without 

 dots, a few seeds, an exalbuminous embryo with convolute cotyledons, and long 

 inflexed anthers. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx superior, 4- or 5-lobed, or 4-5-toothed. Petals 4-5, inserted 

 into the calyx, and alternate with its lobes. Stamens 8-10 ; filaments distinct, anthers in- 

 curved, 2-cclled. Style filiform; stigma simple. Berry crowned by the limb of the calyx, 

 2-4-celled. Seeds few, pendulous, without albumen ; cotyledons foliaceous, convolute ; radicle 

 straight. — Shrubs. Leaves opposite, simple, entire, without stipuke or dots, almost always 

 without more than one central rib. Flowers axillary, pedicellate. 



Affinities. Very near Myrtaceae and Melastomaceae, and in some respects 

 almost intermediate between them. They agree with the former in the single 



