Parsonsia. | APOCYNACE. 441 
Norru anp SoutH IsLANDS: From the North Cape to Foveaux Strait, not 
uncommon. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Aka-kiore. November—March. 
Easily separated from the preceding by the smaller campanulate flowers 
with a short tube and exserted anthers. Forster’s diagnosis, and A. Richard’s 
description, drawn up from some of Forster’s own specimens, prove beyond 
doubt that this species is the original Periploca capsularis. There seems to be 
no sufficient reason for sinking the specific name in favour of the much later 
one bestowed by Raoul. 
Orper XLIX. LOGANIACEAS. 
Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite, usually connected by 
interpetiolar stipules or by a raised line, simple, entire or toothed. 
Flowers regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual by abortion. Calyx 
inferior, 4—5-lobed or -partite; lobes valvate or imbricate or con- 
torted. Stamens 4-5, inserted on the tube of the corolla and alter- 
nate with its lobes; anthers 2-celled, with longitudinal dehiscence. 
Ovary superior, 2-celled or rarely 3-5-celled ; style simple; stigma 
capitate or 2-lobed ; ovules 1 or more in each cell. Fruit a 2-celled 
capsule with septicidal dehiscence or an indehiscent berry. Seeds 
1 or more to each cell ; albumen copious; embryo straight, long or 
short. 
Distribution chiefly tropica! and subtropical, with a few species in tem- 
perate North America and in the south temperate zone. Genera 30; species 
about 350. The order must be considered a dangerous one, including a large 
proportion of highly poisonous plants. Strychnine is obtained from the seed of 
Strychnos nwx-vomica, 2 common Indian tree; and a substance called curare, 
derived from the bark of two species of Strychnos, is used by the South American 
Indians to poison their arrows. 
Herbs. Flowers 4-merous. Corolla-lobes valvate. Cap- 
sule didymous, truncate or 2-lobed .. She .. 1. MrrrasacmMeE. 
Herbs or shrubs. Flowers 5-merous. Oorolla-lobes im- 
bricate. Capsule ovoid or oblong... aes .. 2. LOGANTA. 
Shrubs. Flowers 5-merous. Corolla-lobes contorted. 
Placentas forming a pulpy mass enclosing the seeds .. 3. GmNIOSTOMA. 
1. MITRASACME, Labill. 
Herbs, generally of small size. Leaves opposite, entire, usually 
connected by a transverse stipular line or short sheath. Flowers 
small, either solitary in the upper axils or in clusters or irregular 
umbels. Calyx campanulate, 4-partite or rarely 2-partite. Corolla 
campanulate or salver-shaped ; lobes 4, valvate. Stamens 4, affixed 
to the corolla-tube; filaments usually short ; anthers included or 
rarely exserted. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, usually connate at first, 
but separating from the base upwards as the flowering advances ; 
_ stigma capitate or 2-lobed; ovules numerous in each cell, affixed to 
peltate placentas. Capsule subglobose or ovoid or compressed, 
truncate or 2-lobed or almost 2-horned at the tip, opening along the 
inner margin of the carpels. Seeds numerous, subglobose or com- 
pressed; testa smooth, reticulate. 
