i6o THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



The stamens are indefinite, numerous, hypogynous, 

 inserted on the tumid disk, at the base of the petals, 

 or on an androphore, with slender anther-stalks, dis- 

 tinct or united into three or five bundles. The 

 anthers are two-celled, and open by pores or valves. 

 The pistil is syncarpous, the ovary is globular, two- to 

 ten-celled, two ovules in each cell, the carpels united 

 or distinct. The style is single, and there are as 

 many stigmas as carpels, the stigma being five-toothed, 

 pin-headed, or lobed. The fruit is a small, dry nut, 

 globular, with one or two seeds. It may be loculi- 

 cidal or indehiscent. The seeds are albuminous. 



The flowers contain honey secreted by the sepals, 

 an unusual feature, and the anthers ripen first. 



The order is related to Sterculiaceae and Malvaceae, 

 or to the Theacese. 



The Lime group contains many plants of economic 

 importance, such as timber trees. They yield a 

 mucilaginous juice, and fibre or bast of remarkable 

 length and durability. Jute is derived from Corclioriis 

 olitorius, a native of India. This is obtained by 

 steeping the stems in water, as in the case of Flax. 

 Fishing lines and nets are made from it. In Egypt 

 the leaves are used as a potherb. Mats are made 

 from the bast in Russia. Some of the members of 

 the Lime group produce berries. The seeds of 

 others are bony and set in jewellery as ornaments. 



