NOLANACEZ.—CONVOLVULACE. 625 
cotyledons plaited longitudinally. This order is combined by 
Bentham and Hooker with Boraginacex. 
Distribution and Nuwmbers.—Natives almost exclusively of 
tropical regions. Lllustrative Genera :—Cordia, Plum. ; Varronia, 
DC. There are above 180 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The fruits of many species are edible, as 
those of Oordia Myxa and C. latifolia, which are called Sebestens 
or Sebesten plums, and are eaten by the natives, and others, in 
India ; those of Cordia abyssinica, Wanzey or Vanzey, which are 
esteemed by the Abyssinians; and the succulent fruits of Var- 
ronia rotundifolia, which are used to fatten cattle and poultry. 
The bark of C. Myzxa is reputed to be a mild tonic and astringent. 
Some species, as Oordia Rumphii and Cordia Gerascanthus, yield 
useful and ornamental timber. The wood of Cordia Myza is 
said to be that from which the Egyptians constructed their 
mummy-cases. (Seealso Ficus.) Anacuhuite Wood, a substance 
imported into this country a few years since, and recommended 
as a tonic, &c., is derived from Cordia Boissieri. 
Order 8. Notanacex, the Nolana Order.—Character.— 
Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate. Inflorescence 
straight. Calyx 5-partite, persistent, with a valvate estivation. 
Corolla regular, with a plaited zstivation. Stamens 5, opposite 
tothe lobes of the calyx. Ovary composed of from 5—20 carpels, 
either distinct or more or less combined into several bundles ; 
style on a fleshy disk, simple ; stigma simple. Fruit composed 
of 5or more separate or more or less combined achzenia, which 
are enclosed in the persistent calyx. Seed with a little albu- 
men ; embryo curved ; radicle inferior. This order is combined 
by Bentham and Hooker with Convolvulacee ; and by others it has 
been referred to Boraginaceer. 
Distribution and Numbers —Natives exclusively of South 
America, especially of Chili. Illustrative Genera :—Nolana, 
Linn ; Alona, Lindl. There are about 36 species. 
Properties and Uses.—-Unknown. 
Order 9. CONVOLVULACE®, the Convolvulus Order. —Cha- 
racter.—Herbs or shrubs, generally twining (jig. 227) or trailing, 
or sometimes erect, and frequently milky. Leaves (fig. 227) or 
scales alternate, exstipulate; sometimes leafless and parasitic 
(jig. 257). Calyx inferior, with 5 deep divisions, much imbri- 
cate (figs. 1010 and 1011), persistent. Corolla (figs. 1010 and 
1011) 5-partite or 5-plaited, regular, deciduous, sometimes with 
scales in its tube (fig. 1013); xstivation twisted, plaited or imbri- 
cate. Stamens 5, alternate with the lobes of the corolla (fig. 
1011). Disk annular, hypogynous. Ovary (fig. 1011) 2- 3- or 
4-celled, or the carpels are more or less distinct ; styles 1 or 2, 
usually 2-fid ; ovules 1—2 in each cell or carpel, erect. Fruit 
capsular, 1—4-celled, with septifragal dehiscence, or bursting 
transversely at the base. Hmbryo (fig. 1012) large, curved or 
Ss 
