117 



Affinities. Distinguished from Erythroxyleae by the structure of the ova- 

 rium ; and from Acerinere by the unguiculate petals, the glandular calyx, and 

 the symmetrical flowers. Mr. Brown remarks, that the insertion of the ovulum 

 is always towards its apex, or considerably above its middle ; and the radicle 

 of the embryo is uniformly superior, in which point Banisteria offers no excep- 

 tion to the general structure, although Gartner has described its radicle as in- 

 ferior. Congo, 426. 



Geography. Almost exclusively found in the equinoctial parts of America; 

 of 180 species enumerated by Dccandolle, only 5 are East Indian, 1 is found 

 at the Cape, 1 in Arabia, and 5 in equinoctial Africa, or the contiguous 

 islands. 



Ppoperties. Little is known of this subject. The wood of some kinds is 

 bright red. The fruit of many is eaten in the West Indies ; the hairs of a few 

 species are painfully pungent. The bark of Malp. Moureila, according to Au- 

 blet, is employed in Cayenne as a febrifuge. 



The following sections are employed by Decandolle : 



1. MaLPIGHIE-ZE. 



Styles 3, distinct or cohering in 1. Fruit fleshy, indehiscent. — Leaves op- 

 posite. 



Examples. Malpighia, Bunchozia. 



2. HlPTAGE-E. 



Style 1, or 3 combined in 1. Carpella of the fruit dry, indehiscent, 1-seeded, 

 often variously expanded into wings. — Leaves opposite or verticillate. 

 Examples. Hiptage, Thryallis, Aspicarpa. 



3. Banisterieje. 



Styles 3, distinct. Carpella of the fruit dry, indehiscent, monospermous, va- 

 riously expanded into wings. — Leaves opposite, rarely whorled. 

 Examples. Hirasa, Banisteria. 



CIV. VITES. The Vine Tribe. 



Vites, Juss. Gen. 267. (1789). — Sarmentace*, Vent. T'abl. 3. 167. (1799). — Viniferje, Juss. 

 Mem. Mus. 3. A A A. (1817).— Ampelideje, Kunth in Humboldt, K G. et. Sp. 5. 223. (1821) ; 

 Dec.Prodr. 1.627.(1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous stamens, 

 concrete carpella, an entire ovarium of 2 cells, a small almost entire open calyx, 

 symmetrical flowers, definite erect ovules, baccate fruit, tumid joints, and a 

 climbing habit. 



Anomalies. Leea and Lasianthera are monopetalous ; but it is doubtful 

 whether they belong to the order. 



Essential Character. — Calyx small, nearly entire at the edge. Petals 4 or 5, inserted on 

 the outside of a disk surrounding the ovarium ; in aestivation turned inwards at the edge, in 

 a valvatc manner. Stamens equal in number to the petals, inserted upon the disk, sometimes 

 sterile by abortion ; filaments distinct, or slightly cohering at the base ; anthers ovate, versa- 

 tile. Ovarium superior, 2-cellcd ; style 1, very short ; stigma simple; ovula erect, definite. 

 Berry round, often by abortion 1-cellcd, pulpy. Seeds 4 or 5, or fewer by abortion, bony, 

 erect; albumen hard; embryo erect, about one half of the length of the albumen; radicle 

 taper; cotyledons lanceolate, plano-convex. — Scrambling, climbing shrubs, with tumid sepa- 

 rable joints. Leaves with stipuUe at the base, the lower opposite, the upper alternate, simple 



