in.] 



LAURACEM. 



291 



which is the Nutmeg of commerce, and the aril Mace. 

 The Nutmeg-tree is said to be indigenous in the Moluccas, 

 though now widely dispersed in the Indian Archipelago. 

 Aromatic fruits, more or less resembling the Nutmeg, are 

 afforded by several other species of the genus Myristica. 



91. Natural Order, LaiiracecB. — The Laurel Family. 



Trees or shrubs, with entire, usually evergreen leaves 

 {Cassytha is leafless and parasitical). Anthers opening by 

 valves. Seed solitary, exalbuminous. 



F.G. 180. Perianth of Ctnnamomum laid open, showing the stamens 

 and staniinodes. 



Type — Cinnamon Shrub {Cinnaino7num zeylanicwii). 

 A small tree or shrub, with subopposite, entire, smooth, 

 coriaceous, three-nerved leaves, and loose terminal and 

 axillary panicles of small, greenish-white flowers. 



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