70 



usual structure of the order, are the most local, and are found either in the 

 principal parallel, or in the highest latitude. The range of species in the 

 whole of the order seems to be very limited ; and the few cases which may be 

 considered as exceptions to this, occur in the most extensive genera, and in such 

 of their species as are most strictly natives of the shores. Thus Banksia inte- 

 grifolia, which grows more within the influence of the sea than any plant of 

 the order, is probably also the most widely extended, at least in one direction, 

 being found within the tropic, and in as high a latitude as 40°. It is remarka- 

 ble, however, that with so considerable a range in latitude, its extension in lon- 

 gitude is comparatively small : and it is still more worthy of notice, that no 

 species of this family has been found common to the eastern and western shores 

 of New Holland." Brown in Lin. Trans. 10. 



Properties. Handsome evergreen shrubs much prized by gardeners for 

 the neatness of their appearance, and beauty or singularity of their flowers ; 

 but of no known use, except as fire-wood, for which they are commonly em- 

 ployed at the Cape of Good Hope. 



Examples. Protea, Banksia, Dryandra, Grevillea. 



LXI. PENiEACE^E. 



Pzkxacbje, /?. Brown, verbally (1820); Guillcmin in Diet. Class, 13. 171.(1823); Marlius 



Hart. Monac. (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Apetalous dicotyledons, with definite ovula, a 4-celled ovarium, 

 and a solid homogeneous embryo. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx inferior, with 2or more bracteoeat its base, hypocrateriform, 

 with a 4-lobed limb valvate in aestivation, or deeply 4-parted imbricated in aestivation. Sta- 

 mens either 4, arising from below the recesses of the limb, with which they alternate, or 8, 

 arising from near the base of the calyx ; anthers 2-celled, turned inwards, usually with 

 membranous valves lying on the face of a thick fleshy connectivum, sometimes with 

 fleshy valves, and an obliterated connectivum. Ovarium superior, 4-celled, with a simple 

 style and 4 stigmas ; ovules either ascending, collateral, in pairs, or solitary and suspended ; 

 the foramen always next the" placenta. Fruit capsular, 4-cellcd, dehiscent or indehiscent? 

 Seed erect or inverted : testa brittle ; nucleus a solid fleshy mass, with no distinction of albu- 

 men or embryo ; radicular end next the liilurn ? hilurn fungous. — Shrubs. Leaves opposite, 

 imbricated, without stipulae. flowers terminal and axillary, usually red. 



Affinities. According to an observation of Jussieu, this order is allied to 

 Epacridere ; but I confess I am unable to perceive on what account. To me it 

 appears related in the first degree to some apetalous dicotyledons, such as Pro- 

 teaceae, with some of which the species agree in habit, and in the case of 

 Penaea fuiticulosa even in the thickened connectivum and the structure of the 

 lobes of the stigma, each of which is strikingly like that of a Grevillea. To 

 Bruniaceae they must be compared, notwithstanding the presence of petals in 

 that order, for the sake of Linconia, in which the pendulous ovula agree with 

 P. marginata (Geissoloma m.) and the thickened connectivum of the anthers, 

 which is common to several species, although not present in Geissoloma. The 

 fungous hilum of ihe seed is similar to that of Poly gales, with which, however, 

 Penneacese have no other apparent relation. 



This order exhibits a singular instance of two distinct kinds of aestivation 

 and attachment of ovula among species which it is impossible to separate from 

 each other. In true Penaea the aestivation is valvate, and the ovula ascending, 

 while in Geissoloma the former is imbricate, and the latter suspended. Penaea 



