424 LAURINEiE. [part ii. 



and the fruit is a triangular nut, retaining the 

 calyx till it is ripe. The genera Eriogonum, 

 Calligonum, and Koenigia, formerly included in 

 this order, are now formed into another, called 

 Eriogonese. 



ORDER CLVIIL— LAURINE^.— THE SWEET-BAY 

 TRIBE. 



These plants are known by their anthers, 

 which are two or four celled, with the valves 

 curling upwards when ripe, like those of the 

 Berberry, and the filaments are furnished near 

 the base with two kidney-shaped glands. The 

 male and female flowers are distinct ; the former 

 have six, eight, or twelve stamens, and a calyx 

 of four or six divisions united at the base. The 

 female flowers have a one-celled and one-seeded 

 ovary, with a simple style, and an obtuse- 

 crested stigma ; and four or more abortive sta- 

 mens, furnished with glands, but without an- 

 thers. The most interesting plants contained in 

 this order are, — the Sweet Bay (Laurus nohilis), 

 the Sassafras-tree (L. Sassafras, or Sassafras 

 officinale), the Cinnamon- tree (L. Cinnamomum^ 

 or Cinnamomum verum, or zeylanicum); the 

 Camphor -tree (Zy. campliora, or Camphora offi- 

 cinarurti) ; and the Alligator Pear (L. Persea, 

 or Per sea gratissima) . All the plants belonging 

 to this order are aromatic, either in the leaves, 

 bark, or fruit. 



