[So 



Z YGOPHYLLA CEM. 



[chap. 



A climbing shrub with opposite, entire leaves, and irre- 

 gular, very fragrant, yellow-white flowers. 



Observe the closely adpressed hairs, covering the young 

 parts of the plant ; examined minutely, they will be found 

 to be attached near the middle (peltate hairs) : the single 

 " gland " under the flower, partly adnate to the pedicel, partly 

 to the calyx ; in some genera each sepal bears one or two 

 dorsal glands : the clawed, unequal, fringed petals : the 

 declinate stamens : the winged fruit-carpels. 



The head-quarters of the Family is in South America, 

 where many " lianes " of the moist forests belong to it. 



Very few species are turned to practical account. 



23. Natural Order, Zygophyllacem. — Bean-Caper Family. 

 Herbs or low shrubs with opposite, stipulate, compound 

 leaves. Peduncles axillary, one-flowered. Stamens eight 

 or ten, free. 



Type — Tribulus terresiris. 



A prostrate herb with opposite, stipulate, pinnate leaves, 

 axillaiy, solitary, regular flowers, and spinose fruits. 



To this Family belong also Fagonia^ with trifoliolate 

 leaves, common in some of the dry parts of India, and 

 the West Indian Guiacum ; the latter affording the hard, 

 heavy, greenish-brown wood called lignu?n-viice. 



