2 ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 



Affinities. These as will appear from the preceding remarks are still andeterminec!; their 

 epigjnoas flowers and numerous petals and stamens associaring them with Myrtaceae^ while 

 their few celled ovary with solitary, pendulous ovules and albumenous seed, seem more justly 

 to refer them to the vicinity of Corneae and Caprifoliaceae (where Meisner has placed them) 

 t^vo nearly allied orders. — Upon the whole, I think we may conclude, that the true relations of 

 this order are still unknown but that it is conveniently, if not correctly^ placed in its present 

 situation. 



Gkooraphical DisTKiBUTioN. All the species of this small order, 3 in number, yet known, 

 are of Indian origin— two species of Alangium are nativf^s of the Peninsula and both found in 

 the Carnatic. DeCandoUe and Lamark have added a third which however does not seem dis- 

 tinct from A. decapetaltm. The genus Marlea referred here by DeCandolle has yet only been 

 found on the Himalayas and in China. 



Properties and Uses. Little seems known on this head: the two species of Alarigium 

 are said to be cathartic, and the roots aromatic. Dr. Royle remarks *' they are said to afford 

 good wood and edible fruit," The first of these, at least in one sense, I am inclined to doubt 

 as I have never seen the plant larger than a rather larcre shrub so that whatever the quality of 

 the wood, it must always, I presume, be small. Roxburgh says it is beautiful The fruit 

 however are edible but not palatable being mucelagenous and insipid. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 9G. 



I Alangium hexapetalum, flowering brauch^nafi/rol 4. Ovary cut vertically, showing the solitary pendulous 



'"*'- ovule. 



Size. 



J^r^E^'lfT^ ^l?'"' '^"""'"S ^^^ '^^'^'•^ °^*^y' * P'^^^'' 5. bwary cut transversely, one-cdlcd-aH more or less 

 stamen, style and stigma. magnified. 



3. A stamen detached. 



LXIV.-GRANATEvE. 



nf .2!"^"^ '"'•'''^ r'"^".^- ^^^*"'«^? °^ ^^« P^^«e°t day are divided in opinion as fo the propriety 

 of considering this a distinct order, or merely a section of Myrtacek Don, DeCandolle and 



question. At the time of preparing the accompanying pkte and loner after when writing mv 

 accoun of Myrlace^l also adopted the latter 'vie wicircumstances having ^ urred to luy 

 h« puhhcation of that article I have been enabled to reconsider the subject and review afresh 

 the arguments on both sides, carefully examining the structure of the ovlry and fruTt J I went 

 along. The result has led to the conviction that this is really a distinot oXr I !l f J 

 scarcely I think have come to this conclusion had I not pre^' Sy a' " eS the pos^Wi v 

 of carpels having their position reversed in the ovary, bacause until I did ascertain th 1 ^ 

 could not understand or explain, to my own satisfaction the app aiancL wSi sect^o^^^ ,t?K'! 

 ovary presents and preferred reiNaining silent to giving an oniniL Th'ch I flit ,^ ^if \? 

 fo support. Having at length been ^-enabled toSnaL up n Town mind on the t ""^^^? 

 shal here explam my views and contrast them with those of Ty 01^16™ 1 who h.'''-: ^ 

 on the subject. As the main object of the strictly Botanical ZtTon of hi wo k ^^ n ^"^ 

 the pnnctpies of the sc ence, I tru.st I ^hall hp Pvr..«prl f , . 1 • i • . '^ ^o explain 



question on .hich the sentiment'o so many eniLn L nr.'"^^^^^^^^ • Tf '"^' '' ^''^' ^ 

 unable to quote professor Endlioher's opinlj;, "rha i^r;eT ree ved'h 'ivt^rK^"' '""^ 

 PJantarum containing this order. The fallowing e^tr^ltl J]tT I c ^ ''^ ^^ tiis genera 

 sides of the questjon^vhlch wholly rests or'rh:%i::vs ::^ authtTaktf o7 t ^.^'cT '''') 

 the n.nt. Don the original proposer of the order, and DeCandole describe it L '^ 



redish smooth cuticle with shining ooints. snnn.v S;' ."/u. \^±\T'''^ exteriorly ^.ith a 



of the rind but 



bursting irregu- 



lent, completely 



