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CXI. AMYRIDE^E. 



Terebintaceje, Juss. Gen. 368. (1789) inpart.— Amyride*, R. Brown in Congo,43l. (1816); 

 Kunth in Ann. Sc. Nat. 2. 353. 1824).— Terebintaceje, trib. 5. Dec. Prodr. 2. 81. (1825.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous stamens, 

 anthers bursting by longitudinal slits, distinct simple carpella, exstipulate dotted 

 leaves, and no albumen. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx, small regular, persistent in 4 divisions. Petals 4, hypo- 

 gynous, with imbricated aestivation. Stamens double the number of the petals, hypogynous. 

 Ovarium superior, 1-celled, seated on a thickened disk ; stigma sessile, capitate ; ovules 2, 

 pendulous. Fruit indehiscent, sub-drupaceous, 1-seeded, glandular. Seed without albu- 

 men ; cotyledons fleshy ; radicle superior, very short.— Trees or shrubs, abounding in resin. 

 Leaves opposite, compound, with pellucid dots. Inflorescence axillary and terminal, panicled. 

 Pericarpium covered with granular glands, filled with an aromatic oil. 



Affinities. The general structure of this order is that of Anacardiacere, 

 but in qualities it more nearly resembles Burseraceae. M. Kunth suggests in 

 relation to Aurantiacese, to which its dotted leaves, capitate stigmas, and peri- 

 carpia filled with reservoirs of oil, appear to approximate it. 



Ceography. Natives exclusively of the tropics of India and America, 

 with the exception of one species found in Florida. 



Properties. Fragrant resinous shrubs. The Gum Elemi Tree of Nevis 

 is, according to Dr. Hamilton, a plant related to the genus Amyris, which he 

 calls A. 1 hexandra. Prodr. Fl. hid. 35. The gum resin, called Bdellium, is 

 probably produced by a species of Amyris, the Niouttout of Adanson, accord- 

 ing to Virey. Hist. Nat. des Mtd. 291. The layers of the liber of a species 

 of Amyris were found by M. Cailliaud to be used by the Nubian Mahometans 

 as paper, on which they write their legends. Delile Cent. 13. Amyris toxife- 

 ra is said to be poisonous. Dec. Resin of Coumia is produced by A. ambro- 

 siaca. Ibid. 



Example. Amyris. 



CXII. BURSERACEAE. 



TerebintacejE, Juss. Gen. 368.(1789) inpart. — Burseraceje, Kunth in Ann. Sc. Nat. 2. 333. 

 (1824).— Tehebintaceje, trib. 4. Dec. Prodr. 2. 75. (1825.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with 2 or 4 times as many peri- 

 gynous stamens as petals, concrete carpella, a superior ovarium of several 

 cells, regular flowers, an annular disk, collateral ovules, and pinnated alternate 

 leaves without pellucid dots. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Floroers monoclinous, occasionally diclinous. Calyx persistent, 

 somewhat regular, with from 2 to 5 divisions. Petals 3-5, inserted below a disk arising from 

 the calyx ; (estivation usually valvate. Stamens 2 or 4 times as many as the petals, perigy- 

 nous, all fertile. Disk orbicular or annular. Ovarium 2-5-celled, superior, sessile ; style 1 or 

 ; stigmas equal in number to the cells ; ovula in pairs, attached to the axis, collateral. Fruit 

 drupaceous, 2-5 celled, with its outer part often splitting into valves. Seeds without albumen ; 

 cotyledons either wrinkled and plaited, or fleshy ; radicle superior, straight, turned towards the 

 hiluin. — Trees or shrubs, abounding in balsam, resin, or gum. Leaves alternate, unequally 

 pinnate, occasionally with stipulcc, usually without pellucid dots. Flowers axillary or ter- 

 minal, in racemes or panicles. 



