Sapindales.] 



MALPlGHIACEvE. 



longer cotyledons, which arc straight, and equal, or unequal, curved, or plaited 

 rolled up, very thick or leafy. 



389 

 or even 



This remarkable Order has been treated at great length, and with mfinite skill, by 

 M. Adi-ien de Jussieu, from whom the pruicipal part of the following and previous 

 remarks is borrowed. Among the most striking peculiarities of the race is the presence 

 upon the calyx of certaui glands of such large size, sometimes, as to constitute a consi- 

 derable part of the whole calycine apparatus ; it is very remarkable that when these 

 glands ai-e missmg, it is those which are next the outside of the mflorescence that disap- 

 pear. They are secreting organs, and accordmg to Payen, their exudations are (in 

 certain ISlalpighias) of the nature of a fatty oil containing a' fluid substance, besides one 

 that is concrete. Another very remarkable circumstance is, the general tendency 

 that has been observed among the stems of the climbmg kinds, to assume appearances 

 quite anomalous among Exogens. In these instances there is in the begmning the usual 

 foi-mation of a woody cu'cular zone round pith, but immediately afterwards the woody 

 matter is deposited in the most irregular lobed and zoneless ribs. Many details relating 

 to this matter have been given by M. Adrien de Jussieu. The distmctions between 

 this Order and others in its alliance, will be evident upon compai-ing the Diagnosis 

 already given ; and will be fui'ther explain- 

 ed under the other Orders, 3 1 2 



The genus Nitraria, consisting of a few 

 salt plants from the west of Asia, the north 

 of Africa, and N. Holland, appears to be 

 not essentially distinct from the present 

 Order, of which it has the misymmetrical 

 ovary, peculiar o\Tiles, and drupaceous 

 fruit. Its principal distinctions consist in 

 the entLre consolidation of its styles, and 

 in the stamens being collected m parcels 

 lodged in the ca\'ity of concave petals. It 

 has, however, given rise to a supposed 

 Order,* originally suggested in the first 

 edition of the present work. No. 149, 

 (1830), as possessing some affinity on the 

 one hand \\'ith Goosefoots, and the other 

 with Buckthorns (Rhamnacese). 



The following is the distribution of the 

 Order, according to M. A. de J.; Africa: 14 on the continent, 11 in Madagascar ; Asia: 



* The foUo-ning is the character of the supposed Order called Nitrariace^ : Shrubs with deciduous 

 succulent alternate leaves, which are sometimes fascicled. Flowers in cjaues, or solitary. Calyx inferior, 

 5-toothed, fleshy. Corolla of five petals, which arise from the calyx, with aninflexed vah'uLir Eestivation. 

 Stamens 3 times the number of the petals, perigynous ; anthers innate, with 2 obhque longitudinal lines 

 of dehiscence. Ovary superior, 3- or more celled, with a continuous fleshy style, at the apex of which 

 are as many stigmatic lines as there are cells ; o\iiles pendulous, by means of a long funiculus. Fruit 

 drupaceous, opening by 3 or 6 valves. Seeds solitary, with no albumen, and a straight embryo, with the 

 radicle next the hilum. 



Fig. CCLXXV. 



Fig. CCLXXIY.— Wood of Heteroptei^s anomala.— J. de Jussieu. 



Fig. CCLXXV.— Nitraria Schoberi. 1, an expanded flower; 2. the calj-x and pistil ; 3. a perpen- 

 dicular section of the ovary j 4. a cross section of it ; 5. an ovule ; 6. a seed ; 7. an embryo ; 8. an anther. 



