Ericales.] HUMIRIACE^.. 447 



Order CLXIV. HUMIRIACE^.— Humiriads. 



Humiriaceas, Adrien de Jussieu in Aug. de St. Hil. Flora Bras. Mend. 2. 87. (1829) ; Martins Nov. 

 Gen. 2. 147. (1826) ; Endl. Gen. ccxxu. ; Meisner, p. 47. 



Diagnosis. — Erical Exorjens^ vntli polypetalous Jloivers, perfect monadelphoics stamens^ 

 and 2-ceUed anthers 2v{th a long membranous connective. 



Trees or shrubs with balsamic juice. Leaves alternate, simple, coriaceous feather- 

 veined, without stipules. Flowers in tenninal or axillary c^-mes, or corjuibs. Calyx 

 imbricated, in 5 dj\-isions. Petals imbricated, regular, alternate with the lobes of the 

 calyx. Stamens hypogynous, 4 times or many times 

 as numerous ag the petals, monadelphous ; anthers 

 2-celled, with a fleshy connective extended beyond 

 the 2 lobes. Ovary superior, usually surrovmded 

 by an annular or toothed disk, 5-celled, often 

 furnished with a transverse pai*tition, with from 1 

 to 2 suspended anatropal o^'ules in each cell ; style 

 simple ; stigma 5-lobed. Finiit di'upaceous, with 5 

 cells on the same plane, or with secondary cells 

 near the apex, sometimes with fewer, on account 

 of the abortion of a part. Seed ^vith a membra- 

 nous integument ; embryo narrow, orthotropal, 

 sometimes Ijing in fleshy albumen ; radicle long, 

 superior. Fig. CCCX. 



The affinities of Humiriads cannot be satisfac- 

 torily discussed until theu' seeds shall have been more exactly examined. As the 

 evidence at present stands, there is notliing to show that all the genera now collected 

 really belong to the same group. Helleria, for instance, is said to have no albumen. 

 They differ from Meliads much in habit, and in many respects in fructification, 

 especially in having the Eestivation of the corolla quincuncial, not valvate, and the 

 stamens sometimes indefinite ; the anthers of Humiriads, as Von jMartius observes, are 

 very difierent from those of MeHads in the great dilatation of theh' connective ; their 

 albuminous seeds and slender embryo are also at variance with Mehads. In the latter 

 respect, and in their balsamic wood, they agree better with Storaxworts, as also in the 

 variable du-ection of the embryo. Besides these points of affinity. Von Martins 

 compares Humiriads with Chlsenads, on accoimt of both Orders contauiing definite and 

 indefinite monadelphous stamens, several stigmas, partially abortive cells, inverted 

 albuminous seeds, and a singular complicated vernation, by which two longitudinal lines 

 are impressed upon each leaf. To me it formerly appeared that the real affinity is 

 with Citronworts ; as is indicated by their inflorescence, the texture of their stamens, 

 then- disk, their winged petioles, and their balsamic jmces. But this cannot be, if their 

 seeds are really albuminous, as is stated. Assuming the latter to be correct, they will 

 form a connecting link between the Erical and Berberal Affiances, because of their 

 resemblance to Olacads, If really connected with Heathworts, it must be through 

 some such genus as Clethra. 



All are natives of the tropical parts of America. 



Humirium floribundum, when the tnmk is woimded, yields a fragrant liquid yellow 

 balsam, called Balsam of Umiri, resembling the properties of Copaiva and Balsam of 

 Pera. The juice of Humirium balsamifei-um and floribundum has a reddish colour, 

 and smells of Storax ; an ointment prepared from it is used for pain in the joints, and 

 internally as a remedy for blennorhoea and attacks of tseuia. 



GENERA. 



Saccoglottis, 3/aW. i Mprodendron, SchT. 1 Werniseckia, Scop. IVantanea, ^m6^. 



Humirium, i/ar<. Humiri, Avibh llleUena, Nees et Mart. Lemniscia, Schreh. 



Humiria, Juss. ) I I 



Numbers. Gen. 4. Sp. 10. 



Olacacece. 



Position. — Ericacese. — Humiriace^. 



AtcrantiacecE. 



Fig. CCCX.— Humirium crassifolium. 1. its flower; 2. a part of its stamens ; 3. an anther ; 4. pistil. 



