i88 



OLACACE^. 



[chap. 



29. Natural Order, Olacacece. — The Olax Family. 

 Shrubs or trees, usually with alternate entire leaves, and 

 axillaiy fascicles spikes or racemes of small flowers. Ovary 

 one-celled, or imperfectly three- or more-celled. 



Type — Olax scandens. 

 A climbing spinose shrub, with alternate simple leaves, 

 and short axillary fascicles of small whitish flowers. 



Observe the "calyx" enlarging {aca-esceTit) after flower- 

 ing-time is over. Although described as a true calyx 

 consisting of sepals, there is reason to believe that, in this 

 case, it is a cupuliform production analogous to the disk 

 found, for example, around the base of the ovary in the 

 Orange. Note, also, the abortion of most of the stamens, 

 usually but three bearing perfect anthers, the rest being 

 deeply bifid. 



The Family includes several very anomalous Indian 

 climbing plants, differing from the type in their dioecious 

 flowers and other characters, of interest chiefly on botanical 

 grounds. 



30. Natural Order, Ampelidea. — The Vine Family. 

 Usually shrubs climbing by tendrils, with jointed stems, 



