III.] 



MAGNOLIACE/E. 



149 



serrate leaves, and large, white, solitary, regular flowers, 

 with persistent sepals. 



Observe the climbing genera, Deliina., Tetracera, and 

 Schumacheria ; the herbaceous Ceylonese and Peninsular 

 genus Acrotrema ; the normally apocarpous fruit and arillate 

 seeds of the Family. 



The type-species {Dillenia speciosa) presents, in respect 

 of the pistil, an aberrant character in the Order, the nume- 

 rous carpels being consolidated with the fleshy axis. 



Compare the apocarpous fruit, with dehiscent carpels, of 

 Delima^ Tetraceray and Wormta, with the in dehiscent fruit 

 of Dillenia^ enclosed in the thickened, fleshy, persistent 

 sepals. 



The fruit of Dillenia has an agreeably acid taste, and 

 may be used in jellies. 



3. Natural Order, Magnoliacece.. — The Magnolia Family. 



Trees or shrubs with convolute stipules (except Illicimn). 

 Sepals and petals trimerous (except in Illiciuni)^ imbricated. 

 Albumen uniform. 



Type — Michelia ChaiJipaca. 



A moderate-sized tree, common in gardens all over India, 



