Daphnales] DAPHNALES. 529 



Alliance XLI. DAPHNALES.— Tuy. Daphnal Alliance. 



Diagnosis. — Perigynous Exogens, with monochlamydeous flowers, a solitary carpel, and an 

 amygdaloid emhryo without albumen. 



The Daphnal Alliance consists almost exclusively of slunibs and trees, usually ever- 

 green and often of large dimensions. It is defined by its flowers being monochlamy- 

 deous, or, if there be a corolla, by the quasipetals ha%ang altogether the colour, texture, 

 and quality of the calyx. It differs from the Ficoidal Alhance in the total absence of 

 albumen, and its great almond-hke embryo ; nevertheless its Daplmads approach Ficoi- 

 dals in consequence of the resemblance between some Passerines and Sderanths. With 

 Rosals it agrees in the natm^e of its embryo, but is distinguished by the want of petals, 

 or, failing that distinction, by its ovary havmg a vertical style, which in Rosals always 

 stands more or less obhquely with respect to the ovary. This renders it probable that 

 the fruit of Daphnads is really composed of two or more valvate carpels cohering round a 

 single ovule, as happens in the Order of Buckwheats, while in Rosals the carpels are 

 absolutely simple. 



If we regard the further end of the chain of Daphnals we find that Lam^els touch 

 Calycanths among Rosals. Lam*els, too, indicate a tendency towards the diclinous series, 

 in consequence of their flowers being occasionally unisexual, and seem to bring Daph- 

 nals into the \dciiiity of Plume Nutmegs. 



There is also a very strong approach on the part of Daphnals to Rhamnals, as is 

 indicated by the tubular calyx of the latter and their constant tendency to lose their 

 petals. In fact, the two Alhances must stand in actual contact, for there is httle to dis- 

 tinguish them except the simple fruit of the one and the compound fruit of the other. 



Natural Orders of Daphnals. 



Anthers bursting lengthwise. Apetalous or polypetalous. Ovide\c)n,o Thyme 



solitary, suspended. Calyx imbricated J " * lace^. 



Anthers biLr sting lengthwise. Apetalous. Ovules erect. Calyx {nr^. t> 



valvate. .• /'^"*- ^^oteace^. 



Anthers bursting by recv/Tved valves. Leaves perfect. Fruit naked. 205. Laurace^e. 



Anthers bursting by recurved valves. Leaves mere colourless scales. 1 ^r^n r* 



Fruit bianed in a succulent permanent calyx j a. je. 



M M 



