EiPHORBiALEs.l EUPHORBIACE^. 



Alliance XX. EUPHORBIALES. — The Euphorbial Alliance. 



Diagnosis. — Diclinous Exogeiis, with scattered monodicJilamydeous flowers, superior 

 consolidated carpels, axile placentas, and a large embryo surrounded by abundant 

 albumen. 



The main difference between the Euphorbial and Urtical AUiances consists in the 

 compound consohdated pistil of the former and the simple one of the latter. In other 

 respects they are much the same. Euphorbials may be regarded then as a higher form 

 of Urticals, and accordingly we find their lateral affinities also pointing to groups with 

 a more complicated structure ; as for example to Rhamnads in the perig;y'nous, and 

 Malvads in the hypogj-nous Sub-class. They touch Urticals by such a genus as Eremo- 

 carpus among Spm'geworts ; and Scepads also bring them to the borders of the A mental 

 Alhance. Starworts are to Eviphorbials what Hornworts are to Urticals. Into 

 Garryals they pass by way of the Helwingiads, wliich, if their embryo was not so small, 

 would be almost an mferior frvuted form of Spurgeworts. The only doubtful part of 

 the Alhance is the Batids, whose structure is ill ascertained, and the Nepenths, whose 

 indefinite scobiform seeds are very unUke anything else in the Alhance. But it seems 

 difficult to find any better place for the last Order. 



Natural Orders of Euphorbials. 



Ovules definite, suspended, anatropal. Eadicle superior. . . . .00. Euphorbiace^, 



Ovules definite, suspended, campylotropal. Radicle inferior. Albumen mealy *Gyrostejioxe^. 



Ovtdes definite, sibspended, anatropal. Radicle superior. ^«mew-|gj^ Scepace^. 



taceous J ' 



Ovides definite, suspended, avipkitropal. Radicle superior . . . 92. CALLixRicHACEiE. 



Ovules definite, ascending, anatropal. Radicle infenor . . . . 93. Empetrace.e. 



Ovules solitary, ascending. Q naked, combined into a succulent cone . . *Batide>e. 



Ovides 00, ascending. Radicle inferior. Seeds scobiform ... 94. ? Nepenthace^:. 



