480 STERCULIACEH. 
the petals are sometimes absent. Stamens usually united by 
their filaments into a column, and indefinite, or rarely few and 
distinct ; anthers usually 2-celled, or rarely 1-celled. Carpels 3 
or 5, either distinct or united so as to form a compound ovary, 
sessile or stalked, or rarely more numerous or solitary ; styles 
equal in number to the carpels, distinct or united ; ovules usually 
definite, sometimes indefinite. Fruit either composed of a 
number of follicles, or capsular (jig. 708), or rarely haccate. 
Seeds with fleshy-oily albumen or none; embryo straight or 
curved ; cotyledons either plicate or rolled round the plumule. 
The order Byttneriaceze of some botanists is here included 
in Sterculiaceze. 
Diagnosis.—The plants of this order are at once known 
among the Thalamifloree by their valvate 5-partite calyx ; 
twisted corolla consisting of 5 distinct petals ; numerous perfect 
stamens united by their tilaments into a column ; and usually by 
their 2-celled anthers. The character presented by the anthers 
should be particularly noticed, as that alone, in most cases, at 
once distinguishes them from the Malvacez, which in many 
other respects they closely resemble ; indeed the Sterculiaceze 
have been combined with the Malvaceze. It should, however, 
also be observed, that the flowers of some of the Sterculiaceze 
are unisexual by abortion. 
Distribution and Nwmbers.—Natives chiefly of the tropics or 
of very warm regions; but some of the species are found scat- 
tered in almost every quarter of the globe, except Europe. 
Illustrative Genera :—Sterculia, Linn.; Helicteres, Linn. ; Theo- 
broma, Linn. There are more than 500 species belonging to 
this order. 
Properties and Uses.—In their properties the plants of this 
order resemble the Malvacee : thus, they are generally mucila- 
ginous, demulcent, and emollient ; some have a hairy covering 
to their seeds ; and others yield useful liber-fibres. The cottony 
covering of their seeds, and the fibres yielded by certain plants 
of this order, are not, however, to be compared in importance 
to the similar products of the Malvacee. Some plants are 
reputed to be diuretic, emetic, or purgative. 
Adansonia.—A. digitata, the Baobab-tree.—The fruit, commonly known 
as Monkey-bread or Ethiopian Sour-gourd, has its seeds surrounded by a 
large quantity of a starchy pulp with an acid flavour much resembling 
cream of tartar. Its acid nature is said to be due to malate of potassium. 
This forms a wholesome and agreeable article of food. When mixed with 
water it is used as an acid drink, which is regarded as a specific in putrid 
and pestilential fevers. It is also employed in Egypt in dysentery. All 
parts of the tree possess emollient and demulcent properties. Its powdered 
leaves are used by the Africans under the name of Lalo, mixed with their 
daily food, to check excessive perspiration. This property is owing to the 
presence of an astringent matter ; hence they have been found serviceable in 
diarrhoea, &c. The bark is said to be febrifugal, and its liber-fibres are 
employed by certain African tribes, living where the tree is common, in the 
