[58 



CXLV. FOUQUIERACEiE. 



Fouqxjierace*, Dec. Prodr. 3. 349. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Succulent polypetalous dicotyledons, with perigynous sta- 

 mens, concrete carpella, a superior ovarium with several cells, and a terminal 

 style, regular flowers, the petals of which cohere in a tube, indefinite ovula, 

 and no disk. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Sepals 5, imbricated, ovate, or roundish. Petals 5, combined in 

 along tube, arising from the bottom of the calyx or torus, regular. Stamens 10 or 12, arising 

 from the same line as the petals, but distinct from them, exsei tod ; anthers 2-celled. Ovarium 

 superior, sessile ; style filiform, trificl at the apex ; ovules numerous. Capsule 3-cornered, 

 3-celled, 3-valved ; valves bearing the dissepiments in the middle. Seeds in part abortive, 

 compressed, winged, affixed to the axis ; embryo straight, in the centre of thin fleshy albumen ; 

 cotyledons flat. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves entire, oblong, fleshy, clustered in the axilla of a 

 spine or a cushion. Flowers scarlet, arranged in a terminal spike or panicle. 



Affinities. Separated from Portulaceee by Decandolle, as he tells us 

 (J\l€m. Porhd. 4.), for the following reasons : 1. because their petals cohere 

 in along tube of the same nature as that of gamopetalous Crassulaceae ; 2. 

 because their capsule consists of three loculicidal cells, that is to say, which 

 separate through the middle, forming three septiferous valves ; and, 3. be- 

 cause their embryo is straight, with flat cotyledons, and stationed in the centre 

 of fleshy albumen. They approach the monopetalous Crassulaceae in the 

 structure of their flower ; and Turneraceae and Loaseae in the form of their 

 fruit. Dec. 



Geography. All Mexican. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Examples. Fouquiera, Bronnia. 



CXLVI. GALACINEvE. 



CLaxacine-E, DoninEdinb. New Phil. Journal, Oct. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with perigynous definite stamens 

 which are alternately sterile, concrete carpella, a superior ovarium of several 

 cells, several sepals, and indefinite ovules. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx 4-6-parted, persistent. Petals equ^l in number to the seg- 

 ments of the calyx, into the base of which they are inset ted. Stamens perigynous, twice or 4 

 times as many as the petals, alternately barren ; monadelphous or distinct ; anthers 2-celled 

 nr 1-celled. Ovarium 3- or 4-celled, superior, with numerous ovula attached to the axis; 

 stigma sessile, 3-4-lobed. Capsule 3-4-celled, with 3 or 4 valves, bearing the septa in their 



middle. Seeds indefinite — Herbaceous plants. Leaves radical, simple or ly- 



rate, without stipula:. Flmcers in terminal racemes. Pedicels with a bractea at the base. 



Affinities. This obscure order has been lately defined by Mr. Don ; but 



its affinities can scarcely be determined, until something- is known of the seeds. 

 According to this botanist, it should be placed near Philadelpheae and Saxifra- 

 geae ; but, in the opinion of Adrien de Jussieu, it, or at least Francoa, is akin to 

 Crassulaceae. The latter considers the stamens perigynous, the former de- 

 scribes thorn as hvpogvnous, [The Abbe Correa referred <"4alox to Ericeae ' J 



