492 HUMIRIACEX.—ZYGOPHYLLACEA. 
natives of tropical regions. Illustrative Genera :—Malpighia, 
Plum. ; Byrsonima, Rich.; Nitraria. There are about 580 
species. 
Properties and Uses.—An astringent property appears to be 
most general in the plants of this order. Some have edible 
fruits ; and the seeds of others are reputed to be poisonous. 
Bunchosia armeniaca, a native of Peru, is stated to have poisonous seeds. 
Byrsonima.—Some species have edible fruits. The Byrsonimas are, how- 
ever, principally remarkable for theirastringency. Thusthe fruit of B. spicata 
( Bois-tan) is used in dysentery ; the bark of B. crassifolia is employed in- 
ternally as an antidote to the bite of the rattlesnake, and for other purposes 
where astringent medicines are desirable. The bark of other species is also 
in use for tanning in Brazil. American Alcornoque bark, which is im- 
ported into this country for the use of the tanner, is said to be the produce 
of B. laurifolia, B. rhopalefolia, and B. coccolobxfolia, 
Malpighia glabra and M. punicifolia have edible fruits, which are used 
in the West Indies, as a dessert, under the name of Barbados Cherries, 
Nitraria.—This genus is by some put into an order by itself called Nitra- 
riacee. According to Munby, JW. tridentata is the true Lotus-tree of the 
ancients. (See also Zizyphus.) It is a native of the desert of Soussa, near 
Tunis, and its fruit is of a somewhat intoxicating nature.—V. Billardieri, a 
native of Australia, has an edible fruit. 
Order 3. Humirtace&, the Humirium Order.—Character. 
—Trees or shrubs with a balsamic juice. Leaves alternate, 
simple, coriaceous, exstipulate. Calyx 5-partite, imbricate. 
Petals 5, imbricate. Stamens hypogynous, 20 or more, mona- 
delphous ; anthers 2-celled ; connective elongated beyond the 
anther lobes. Ovary superior, usually surrounded by a disk, 
5-celled ; ovules 1 or 2 in each cell, suspended ; style simple ; 
stigma 5-lobed. Fruit drupaceous, 5-celled, or fewer-celled by 
abortion. Seed with a narrow embryo lying in fleshy albumen, 
orthotropous. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of tropical America. 
Illustrative Genera:— Humirium, Mart.; Vantanea, Auwbl. 
There are 18 species. 
Properties und Uses.—A balsamic yellow oily liquid, called 
Balsam of Umiri, is obtained from the incised stem of Humiriwm 
floribundum ; this is reputed to resemble Copaiba in its proper- 
ties. The bark is used by the Brazilians as a perfume. Other 
species are also said to yield useful balsamic liquids. The so- 
called balsamic liquid found in plants of this order is probably 
not a true balsam, but an oleo-resin resembling Wood Oil and 
Copaiba. 
Order 4.  ZYGOPHYLLACE®, the Bean-caper or Guaiacum 
Order.—C haracter.—Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite, 
stipulate, without dots, usually imparipinnate, or rarely simple. 
Flowers perfect, regular, and symmetrical. Calyx 4- or 5-partite, 
convolute. Petals unguiculate, 4 or 5, imbricate, hypogynous. 
Stwmens 8—10, hypogynous, usually arising from the back of 
small scales ; filaments dilated at the base. Ovary 4—5-celled, 
