234 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



female, and with a minute perianth or none; Buxese, 

 with distinct flowers, stamens opposite the sepals, 

 ovules two in each cell ; Crotoneae, with distinct 

 flowers and the outer or all the stamens opposite 

 the sepals, and ovules solitary in each cell. 



There are some four thousand species and two 

 hundred and twenty genera. They are cosmopolitan. 

 But they are not represented in the Arctic regions. 



The group shows relationship with Malvaceae and 

 Urticaceae, in spite of the reduction in the flowers and 

 the structure of the ovary, etc. 



Though the British types, except the Box, are 

 herbaceous, a large number of plants of this Order are 

 shrubs or trees. Many of the exotic Euphorbias are 

 adapted to drought, and the South African types are 

 cactoid, with spines. Among Australian types are 

 examples that have the heath habit. In Phyllanthus 

 there are phylloclades, and other types resemble the 

 Laurels. A few are climbing plants. A common 

 and characteristic feature is the possession of latex 

 or a milky juice which is narcotic, acrid, or corrosive. 

 If a little of the juice is placed on the tongue a 

 burning, blistering sensation is set up which lasts for 

 some time. 



The leaves are variable but usually alternate, 

 sometimes opposite above, alternate below, simple. 

 They sometimes possess stipules, being often de- 

 ciduous. In place of stipules there are glands or 

 thorns in Jatropha. 



The type of inflorescence is variable. The primary 



