223 



lated to Sapotere through Jacquinia, and to Primulaceae through Bladhia, 

 The immersion of the ovules in a fleshy placenta is a peculiar character of this 

 tribe. 



Geography. Tropical plants without exception, and common both in India 

 and America ; but " no species has been met with in equinoctial Africa, though, 

 several exist both at the Cape of Good Hope and in the Canary Islands." 

 Brown Congo, 465. 



Properties. Almost unknown. Generally handsome shrubs, with fine 

 evergreen leaves. Bread is said to be prepared from the pounded seeds of 

 Theophrasta Jussiaei in St. Domingo, where it is called Le Petit Coco- 

 Hamilt. Prodr. p. 27. 



Examples. Ardisia, Embelia, Myrsine. 



CCVII. PRIMULACEAE. The Primrose Tribe. 



Lysimachije, Juss. Gen. 95. (1789).— Primulaceje, Vent. Tab!. 2. 285. (1799); R. Brown 

 Prodr. 427. (1810); Lindl. Synops. 182. (1520.) 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous herbaceous dicotyledons, with regular flowers, 

 an entire superior 1 -celled ovarium with a free central placenta, and capsular 

 fruit. 



Anomalies. Samolus has the ovarium half inferior, and 5 sterile stamens, 

 Glaux is apetalous. 



Essential Character.— Calyx divided, 5-cleft, seldom 4-cleft, inferior, regular, persistent. 

 Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, regular; the limb 5-cleft, seldom 4-cleft. Stamens in- 

 serted upon the corolla, equal in number to its segments, and opposite them ! Orarium 

 1-celled ; style 1 ; stigma capitate. Capsule opening with valves ; placenta central, distinct. 

 Seeds numerous, peltate; embryo included within fleshy albumen, and lying across the hilum ; 

 radicle with no determinate direction.— Herbaceous plants. Leaves usually opposite, either 

 whorled or scattered. R. Br. 



Affinities. Nearly allied to all the regular monopetalous orders with cap- 

 sular superior fruit, especially to Solanese and Gentianese, from both which, and 

 all others, they are readily known by the stamens being placed opposite the 

 segments of the corolla, and not alternate with them. In this respect they 

 agree with Myrsineae, which differ principally in their fleshy fruit and arbores- 

 cent habit. Another character of Primulaceae is to have the embryo lying 

 across the hilum within the albumen, so that the radicle is presented neither to 

 the umbilicus nor to one extremity, but to one side. Trientalis differs a little 

 in its somewhat succulent fruit. Glaux, an apetalous genus, is usually placed 

 here; but, according to Mr. Don {Jameson's Journal, Jan. 1830, p. 166.), it 

 should be referred to Plantagineae, " where it will form the connecting link be- 

 tween that family and Primulaceae." 



Geography. Common in the northern and colder parts of the globe, grow- 

 ing in marshes, hedges, and groves, by fountains and rivulets, and even among 

 the snow of cloud-capped mountains. The genus Douglasia was found by 

 the traveller whose name it bears, blossoming while covered with snow, on the 

 Rocky Mountains of America. They are uncommon within the tropics, 

 where they usually occupy either the sea shore, or the summits of the most 

 lofty hills. 



Properties. As beautiful objects of culture, these rank among the most 

 esteemed, both on account of their bright but modest-looking flowers, the earliest 



