riL] 



ONAGRACE/E. 



2«] 



Littoral, swamp trees, often with branching, adventitious 

 roots, opposite, entire, thick, smooth leaves, axillary forked 

 peduncles bearing small, whitish flowers, and the seed 

 germinating before falling from the parent. 



Observe the tendency, in species growing between tide- 

 marks, to develope numerous adventitious roots, which 

 serve to secure a firm hold of the ground : the fringed 

 petals of several genera : the growth of the radicle of the 

 embryo of the single seed while still contained in the fruit 

 and before it falls. It grows to a length, sometimes, of 

 several feet, reaching the mud, and throwing out branch- 

 rootlets from its base before parting from the parent tree. 



Compare with the Type-species any Bruguiera, with the 

 calyx about twelve-lobed, the same number of petals, and 

 double the number of stamens. 



' The bark of the Mangrove is astringent, and may be used 

 in tanning. 



42. Natural Order, Onagracece. — The Evening-Primrose 

 Family. 



Herbs with alternate or opposite, simple (sometimes 

 divided if submerged) leaves. Calyx-teeth usually fourj 

 valvate. Ovary adherent, two- to four-celled. 



Type — -Jtissiaia repcns. 



P 2 



