142 KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS. [ciiAr. 



CuPULiFERiE (p. 284). — Trees with alternate stipulate 

 simple leaves and monoecious flowers. Ovary inferior, 

 surmounted by a rudimentary, toothed perianth-limb ; two- 

 or more-celled. Fruit one-celled, one-seeded. Seed ex- 

 albuminous. 



Thymelace/e (p. 286). — Shrubs with a tenacious bark. 

 Flowers usually hermaphrodite. Stamens definite. Ovary 

 free, one-celled, with one pendulous ovule (except Aqui- 

 laria). 



Santalace^ (p. 287). — Herbs, shrubs, or trees with alter- 

 nate or opposite entire leaves. Flowers hermaphrodite or 

 unisexual. Stamens opposite to the perianth-lobes. Ovary 

 inferior, with few ovules suspended from a free central 

 placenta. 



El^agnace^ (p. 289). — Trees or shrubs more or less 

 covered with silvery scurf-scales. Flowers usually hermapli- 

 rodite. Base of perianth-tube persistent around the free 

 one-celled ovary. Ovule one, erect. 



Myristicace^ (p. 290). — Trees or shrubs, with alternate 

 entire leaves and inconspicuous dioecious flowers. Stamens 

 monadelphous. Ovary free, one-celled, with one erect ovule. 

 Seed with ruminated albumen. 



Laurace^ (p. 291). — Trees or shrubs (or leafless para- 

 sites in Cassytha) with entire, usually evergreen, leaves. 

 Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual. Anthers opening by 

 recurved valves. Ovary one-celled, free, with one pendu- 

 lous ovule. Albumen o. 



PiPERACE^ (p. 292). — Jointed shrubs or herbs with alter- 

 nate or opposite simple leaves. Flowers in spikes (or 

 racemes), hermaphrodite or unisexual. Perianth o. Stamens 

 two, or three. Ovary one-celled, one-ovuied. Seed albu- 

 minous. 



