772 UMBELLALES. [Epigyxous Exogens. 



Alliance LY. UMBELLALES. — The Umbellal Alliance. 



Diagnosis. — Epigynous Exogens, with dichlamydeous polypetalous flowers, soUtaiy 

 large seeds, and a small embryo lying in a large quantity of albumen. 



The combination of a polypetalous corolla, an inferior fruit, and solitary seeds chiefly 

 consisting of albumen, constitute the distinctive character of this Alliance, whose 

 Orders can by no means be separated, whatever mode of general distribution a Botanist 

 may employ. In fact, UmbeUifers differ from Ivyworts in nothing except their 

 peculiar epigynous disk, and did}Tiious fruit. Ivyworts are hardly distinguishable from 

 Cornels, if we neglect the opposite leaves and tetramerous flowers of the latter; and from 

 Witch Hazels there is httle to separate Cornels, except the valvate corolla and exstipu- 

 late leaves of the latter ; finally, Bruniads rely for their definition more upon their want 

 of stipules, and anthers turned outwards than on anything else. 



If we look to the affinities of this Alliance, we shall again have an instance of a most 

 natural group being so touched at all points of its circumference that it may be almost 

 regarded as a peculiar centime of organisation, from which many other groups diverge. 



Thus, in a direct line, UmbeUifers touch Stellates on the one hand, and Ivj^vorts 

 on the other, as is elsewhere explained. Then in lateral affinity we have UmbelUfers 

 closing in upon Crowfoots, and stretching towards Saxifrages, Ivyworts almost invading 

 the territory of Ymeworts and Caprifoils, Cornels o^^-ing their position as a distinct 

 Order, rather than as a mere group of Garryads or Alangiads ? chiefly to their unisexual 

 dichlamydeous flowers on the one hand, and their valvate coroUa on the other. Witch 

 Hazels have, no doubt, a strong relationship to Mastworts (Corylacese) on the one hand, 

 and Hippm'ids on the other, and finally, the affinity of Binmiads to ^Mp'tleblooms 

 is sufficiently showTi in speak mg of theii' Natural Order ; so that the follo^\-ing may be 

 taken as a representation of the way in which the Natural Orders of Umbellals stand 

 with respect to others. 



Galiacew. 



Saxifragacece Apiaceae Ranuncidaeece. 



Caprifoliacece Araliace* Vitacece. 



Alangiacece Cornaceae Garryacece. 



Haloragacece Hamamelidacese .... Corylacece. 



Rhamnacece Bruniacese Myrtacece. 



SanUdacecB, 



Natural Orders of Umbellals. 



Fruit didymous, vnth a double epigynous disk 296. Apiaceae. 



Fruit not didymous, without a double epigynous disk, 3- or more- "j 



celled. Pentamerous fioivei's. Corolla valvate. Leaves alter rutte, 1 297. ARALiACEiE. 



without stipules. Anthers turned inwards^ opening lengthwise \ 

 Fruit not didymous, without a double epigynous disk,2- or more- 1 



celled. Tetramerous flowers. Corolla valvate. Leaves opposite, V 298. Cornace^. 



without stipules J 



Fruit not didymous, without a double epigynous disk, 2-celled.'\ 



Corolla imbricated. Leaves alternate, with stipides. Anth€7's[-299. Hamamelidacese. 

 with deciduous valves J 



Fruit not didymous, loithout a double epigynous disk, 3- (or 1-) 1 



celled. Corolla imbricated. Leaves alternate, tvithout sti- 1 300. Bruniace^. 

 pules. Anthers turned outwards, opening lengthwise . . J 



