201 



Essential Character. — Calyx superior, simple, with a definite number of divisions or 

 none, and connate bracteoe at its base. Corolla superior, tubular, regular, with a definite 

 number of divisions, which arc valvate or imbricated in aestivation and equal to the segments 

 of the calyx. Stamens arising' from the corolla, all on the same line, and alternate with its 

 segments ; pollen elliptical. Ovarium inferior, surmounted by a disk, usually 2-ccllcd, occa- 

 sionally with several cells; ovula numerous and attached to a central placenta, or few and 

 erect or ascending; style single, inserted, sometimes partly divided ; stigma usually simple, 

 sometimes divided into a definite number of parts. Fru.it inferior, either splitting into 2 

 cocci, or indehiscent and dry or succulent, occasionally many-celled. Seeds definite or inde- 

 finite; in the former case erect or ascending, in the latter attached to a central axis; embryo 

 small, oblong, surrounded by horny albumen; cotyledons thin; radicle longer, turned towards 

 the hilum. — Trees, shrubs, or herbs. Leaves simple, quite entire, opposite or verticillate, with 

 interpetiolar stipules. Flowers arranged variously, usually in panicles or corymbs. 



Affinities. This well-marked and strictly limited order is nearly allied to 

 Composite, from which its distinct stamens, bilocular or plurilocular ovarium, 

 and inflorescence, distinguish it ; a'nd consequently it participates in all the re- 

 lationship of that extensive group. From Apocyneoe the aestivation of the 

 corolla, the presence of stipuke, and the inferior ovarium, distinctly divide it ; 

 yet, according to Mr. Brown, there exists a genus in equinoctial Africa which 

 has the interpetiolary stipules and seeds of Rubiacese, and the superior ovarium 

 of Apocyneae, thus connecting these two orders. Congo, 448. The close 

 proximity of Caprifoliaceoe has been adverted to in speaking of that order. A 

 tribe called Opercularinere, referred here by Mr. Brown, {Ibid. 447.) and others 

 (A. Rich. El£m. ed. 4. 483), is remarkable for having but 1 seed, and the num- 

 ber of stamens unequal to the lobes of the corolla, and occupies an interme- 

 diate position between genuine Cinchonacere and Dipsaceae. A good mono- 

 graph is much wanted of this extensive order, a very large proportion of the 

 species belonging to which remains still unpublished. I have been constrained 

 to alter the name of Rubiacese, because the genus Rubia does not belong to 

 the order, as I limit it. 



Schlechtendahl and Chamisso divide the order thus : 



Linnxa, 3. 309, &c. (1828.) 



§ 1. ANTHOSPERME.a3. 



Fruit capsular, 2-celled, 2-seeded, usually splitting into 2 pieces, rarely 

 indehiscent. Leaves somewhat whorled, with a simple stipula between the 

 leaves. 



Examples. Anthospermum, Ambraria, Galopina, Phyllis. 



§ 2. Spermacoce^:. 



Fruit capsular, 2- 3- or 4-celled ; cells 1-seeded. Leaves opposite, connected 

 by a bristly ciliated stipula. Flowers in regular cymes, branched bi- or tri- 

 chotomously. 



Examples. Spermacoce, Borreria, Mitracarpum, Psyllocarpus, Richard- 

 sonia, Diodia, Staelia. 



§ 3. PSYCHOTRIACE.E. 



Ovarium generally with 2 cells, each containing 1 ovulum. Fruit drupa- 

 ceous or berried. — Shrubs, usually with opposite leaves. 



Examples. Declieuxia, Psychotria, Ixora, Coffea, Chiococca, Machaonia, 

 Palicurea, Tetramerium. 



§ 4. Cephaelide^:. 



Flowers in capitate fascicles. Berry 2-seeded. 

 Examples. Cephaelis, Geophila. 



§ 5. Coccoctpseleje. 



Flowers in capitate fascicles. Berry 2-celled, many-seeded. 

 Examples. Coccocypselum, Burchellia. 



36 



