110 



innumerable trachea-like threads ; the same economy has been remarked by 

 Du Petit Thouars in the pericarp of Calypso. Dec. Prodr. 1. 567. The 

 only similar cases of this curious structure with which I am acquainted are 

 in Collomia, in which I have detected it {Bot. Reg. fol. 1166.), and in Casua- 

 rina, in which it has been described by Mr. Brown ; plants having no apparent 

 affinity with Hippocrateaceae. 



Geography. The principal part are South American, about 1-seventh are 

 natives of Africa or the Mauritian Islands, and the same number has been 

 recorded as East Indian. 



Properties. The fruit of Tonsella pyriformis, a native of Sierra Leone, is 

 eatable. It is about the size of a Bergamot Pear ; its flavour is rich and 

 sweet. Hort. Trans. The nuts of Hippocratea comosa are oily and sweet. 

 Swartz. 1. 78. 



Examples. Hippocratea, Anthodon, Salacia. 



XCV. BREXIACE^E. 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous stamens, 

 a hypogynous disk, concrete carpella, an ovarium of several cells with the pla- 

 centae in the axis, an imbricated calyx, symmetrical flowers, indefinite exalbu- 

 minous seeds with a straight embryo, and drupaceous fruit and arborescent 

 stems. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx inferior, small, persistent, 5-parted ; aestivation imbricated. 

 Petals 5, hypogynous, imbricated in aestivation. Stamens 5, hypogynous, alternate with the 

 petals, arising from a narrow cup, which is toothed between each stamen ; anthers oval, 

 innate, 2-celled, bursting longitudinally, fleshy at the apex ; pollen triangular, cohering by 

 means of fine threads. Ovarium superior, 5-celled, with numerous ovules attached in two 

 rows to'placenta? in the axis; style 1, continuous; stigma simple. Fruit drupaceous, 5-celled, 

 many-seeded. Seeds indefinite, attached to the axis, with a double integument, the inner of 

 which is membranous; albumen 0; cotyledons ovate, obtuse; radicle cylindrical, centripetal. 

 — Trees, with nearly simple trunks. Leaves coriaceous, alternate, simple, not dotted, with 

 deciduous minute stipulse. Flowers green, in axillary umbels, surrounded by bractere on the 

 outside. 



Affinities. The solitary genus upon which this order is founded does not 

 exhibit any very obvious affinities, for which reason it is probable that other 

 genera remain to be discovered, which will establish the connexion that is at 

 present wanting. Its habit is that of some Myrsineae, especially Theophrasta, 

 from which it differs in being polypetalous, in the stamens being alternate with 

 the petals, and in many other circumstances. With Rhamneae and Celastri- 

 neae its relation is no doubt strong, but its stamens are hypogynous, not perigy- 

 nous, and its seeds indefinite. Some resemblance may be traced between it 

 and Anacardiaceas, especially in the resinous appearances visible upon the 

 young shoots, and also in habit ; but its fructification is entirely at variance 

 with that order. With Pittosporeae it agrees in its Irypogynous definite sta- 

 mens, its polyspermous fruit, its alternate undivided leaves, and habit ; but it 

 disagrees in a number of important particulars. Upon the whole, however, I 

 think it approaches more nearly to Celastrineae than to any other order. The 

 fruit is well described by Dr. Wallich in the Flora lndica. 



Geography. Madagascar trees. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Example. Brexia. 



