136 



CXXI. PITTOSPOREiE. 



Pittosporeje, R. Brown in Minder's Voyage, 2. 542. (1814); Dec. Prodr. 1. 345. (1824); Ach. 

 Rich, in Diet. Class. 13. 643. (1823.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous stamens, 

 distinct at the base, concrete carpella", an ovarium of several cells with the pla- 

 centae in the axis, an imbricated calyx, symmetrical flowers, indefinite seeds with 

 a minute embryo in fleshy albumen, and simple leaves. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Sepals 5, deciduous, cither distinct or partially cohering 1 ; aesti- 

 vation imbricated. Petals 5, hypogynous, sometimes slightly cohering' ; aestivation imbricated. 

 Stamens 5, hypogynous, distinct, alternate with the petals. Ovarium single, distinct, with the 

 cells or the placenta 2 or 5 in number, and many-seeded ; style 1 ; stigmas equal in number 

 to the placentae. Fruit capsular or berried, with many-seeded cells, which are sometimes in- 

 complete. Seeds often covered with a glutinous or resinous pulp ; embryo minute, near the 

 hilum, lying in fleshy albumen ; radicle rather long ; cotyledons very short. — Trees or shrubs. 

 Leaves simple, alternate, without stipuhe, usually entire. Flowers terminal or axillary, some- 

 times polygamous. 



Affinities. Mr. Brown in establishing these as an order, remarks that 

 they are widely different from Rhamneee or Celastrineae, but without pointing 

 out their real affinity ; Decandolle places them between Polygaleee and Fran- 

 keniacese; according to Achille Richard they are very near Rutaceae, to 

 which he thinks them allied by a crowd of characters. 



Geography. Chiefly New Holland plants. A few are found in Africa and 

 the adjacent islands, and 1 in Nipal. Mr. Brown remarks that Pittosporum 

 itself has been found not only in New Holland, but also in New Zealand, Nor- 

 folk Island, the Society and Sandwich Islands, the Moluccas, China, Japan, and 

 even Madeira. Flinders, 542. 



Properties. The wood of Senacia undulata is handsomely veined, whence 

 it is called in the Mauritius Bois de joli coour. Dec. The berries of Billardiera 

 are eatable. The bark of Pittosporum Tobira has a resinous smell. Nothing 

 is known of the properties of any. 



Examples. Billardiera, Pittosporum, Bursaria. 



CXXII. GERANIACE/E. The Geranium Tribe. 



Gerania. Juss. G'cn. 208.(1789).— Geraniaceje, Dec. Fl. Ft. 4. 82S. (1805); Prodr. 1. 637. 

 (1824) ; Lindl. Synops. 50. (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite monadclphous hypo- 

 gynous stamens, concrete carpella, an entire ovarium of several cells, an imbri- 

 cated calyx, symmetrical flowers, solitary pendulous ovules, and carpella 

 adhering to a woody axis, separating with elasticity and curling back. 



Anomalies. Petals none in Rhyncothcca, which also has albumen. Flowers 

 sometimes irregular. 



Essential Character. — Sepals 5, persistent, more or less unequal, with an imbricated 

 aestivation ; 1 sometimes saccate or spurred at the base. Petah 5, seldom 4 in consequence of 

 1 being abortive, unguiculate, equal or unequal, either hypogynous or perigynous. Stamens 

 usually monadelphous, hypogynous, twice or thrice as many as the petals ; some occasionally 

 abortive. Ovarium, composed of 5 pieces placed round an elevated axis, each 1 -celled, 

 1-sceded; ovula pendulous ; styles 5, cohering round the elongated axis. Fru it formed of 6 

 pieces, cohering round a. lengthened indurated axis ; each piece consisting uf 1 cell, contain- 



