75 % 



Essential Character* — Flower* monoecious or monoclinous, with a calyeine involu- 

 ceilum to the pistilliferouB or monoclinous. Calyx petaloid, inferior, tubular, 4-8-parted, decidu- 

 ous. Stamens definite, inserted into the calyx in two rows, of which the outer is often sterile ; 

 anthers bursting longitudinally. Ovarium superior, 1-celled ; orulum pendulous; style 1, or 

 none; stigma peltate. Drupe fibrous, 1-seeded. Seed solitary, pendulous; embryo without 

 albumen, inverted; cotyledons somewhat lobed, shrivelled, oily. — Trees. Leaves alternate, 

 entire. Spikes or corymbs axillary or terminal. 



Affinities. Adopted from Blume. It appears very near Thymeljeae, dif- 

 fering almost solely in the fibrous drupaceous fruit, lobed cotyledons, and the 

 presence of a sort of involucrum to the pistilliferous or monoclinous flowers. 

 Hernandia has been hitherto referred to Laurinere or Myristicea^, from both of 

 which it is obviously very different. Blume refers lnocarpus to the same 

 order ; but this measure appears questionable. 



Geography. Natives of the Indian archipelago and Guiana. 



Properties. The bark, seed, and young leaves, are all slightly purgative. 

 According to Rumphius, the fibrous roots of Hernandia sonora, chewed and 

 applied to wounds caused by the Macassar poison, form an effectual cure. 

 The juice of its leaves is a powerful depilatory ; it destroys hair wherever it is 

 applied, without pain. The wood appears to be very light. According to 

 Aublet, that of H. guianensis takes fire readily from a flint and steel, and is 

 used as amadou. 



Example. Hernandia. 



LXVII. AaUILARINE^E. The Agallochum Tribe. 



Aquilarineje, R. Brown Cong. p. 25. (1818) ; Dec. Prodr. 2. 59. (1825.) 



Diagnosis. Apetalous dicotyledons, with definite suspended ovula, a soli- 

 tary superior 1-celled ovarium, tubular calyx, and stamina alternately fertile 

 and scale-like, arising from the throat. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character.— Calyx turbinate, coriaceous, 5-lobed. Petals 0. Stamens mona- 

 delphous, 10 fertile, 10 sterile; the former inserted between the latter, which are petaloid or 

 scale-like; anthers innate, 2-celled, bursting longitudinally. Ovarium superior, 1-celled, 

 ovate, crowned by a short simple stigma ; ovules 2, parietal, suspended, with their foramen in 

 their apex, which is tapering and turned to the bottom of the cell. Capsule pyriform, 2-valved 

 1-celled, with the valves bearing the seed. Seeds solitary, with an arillus or tail, (probably 

 suspended, with the same form as the ovulum, and with the radicle at the opposite extremity 

 to the hilum.) — Trees. Leaves alternate, entire. 



Affinities. M. Decandolle places this order between Chailletiacea^ but 

 with indications of doubt, and an erroneous character ; and Mr. Brown seems 

 willing (Congo 444.) to consider the order a section of Chailletiaeere, adding, 

 that it would not be difficult to show its affinity to Thymelseae. In this [ fully 

 concur, after an examination of a specimen of Aquilaria Agallochum, for 

 which 1 am indebted to the East India Company ; in fact, Aquilarinese chiefly 

 differ from Thymetaae in their dehiscent fruit, and probably also in the direction 

 of their radicle. In both orders the ovarium is superior and 1-celled, both have 

 similar scale-like bodies at the orifice of the calyx, and no petals, both sus- 

 pended ovula, a single style, and capitate stigma. 



Geography. Natives of the East Indies. 



Properties. Aloes wood, a fragrant resinous substance, of a dark colour, 

 is the inside of the trunk of the Aquilaria ovata and A. Agallochum. It is 



