ATHEROSPERMACEZ,—MYRISTICACE, 655 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are principally natives of 
South America, but are found also in Australia, Java, Mada- 
gascar, Mauritius, and New Zealand. Illustrative Genera :— 
Monimia, Thouars ; ; Peumus, Pers. There are about 40 
species. 
Properties and Uses.—They are aromatic fragrant plants, but 
their properties are of no great importance. 
Peumus Boldus or Boldoa fragrans.—The leaves of this plant, which is 
a native of Chili, under the name of Boldo, have been recommended as 
a remedy in diseases of the liver, but their use has not been attended with 
any marked success in European practice, The fruits are edible. 
Order 2. ATHEROSPERMACE%, the Plume Nutmeg Order.— 
Character.—Trees, with opposite exstipulate leaves. Flowers 
axillary, racemose, bracteated, unisexual or rarely perfect. 
Calyx inferior, tubular, with several divisions. Male flowers 
with numerous perigynous stamens ; anthers 2-celled, opening 
by recurved valves. Female flower usually with abortive scaly 
stamens. Carpels superior, numerous, distinct, each with a soli- 
tary erect ovule; styles and stigmas as many as the carpels. 
Fruit consisting of a number of achenia crowned with the per- 
sistent feathery styles, and enclosed in the tube of the calyx. 
Seeds erect, with a minute embryo at the base of fleshy albu- 
men. This order is combined with Monimiaceer by Bentham and 
Hooker. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Natives of Australia and Chili. 
There are but 3 genera: namely, Atherosperma, Labill., and 
Doryphora, Endl., from Australia; and Laurelia, Juss., from 
Chili. These include 4 species. 
Properties and Uses. — They are fragrant plants. The 
achenia of Laurelia somewhat resemble common Nutmegs in 
their odour. 
Atherosperma.—A decoction of the bark of Atherosperma moschata is 
stated by Backhouse to be used in some parts of Australia as a substitute 
for China tea. This bark resembles sassafras in flavour and odour, hence 
it is commonly known under the name of Australian Sassafras ; it is occa- 
sionally imported into this country. The decoction is likewise employed as 
a diuretic and diaphoretic. The wood is also valuable as timber. 
Order 3. MyristicacE&, the Nutmeg Order.—_-Character. 
—Trees. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, entire, dotted, stalked, 
leathery. Flowers unisexual. Calyx inferior, leathery, 3—4- 
cleft ; in the female flower, deciduous ; estivation valvate. Male 
flower with 3—12 stamens, or rarely more numerous ; filaments 
distinct or monadelphous ; anthers 2-celled, extrorse, distinct or 
united, with longitudinal dehiscence. Female flower with 1 or 
many superior distinct carpels, or rarely 2; each carpel with 
1 erect ovule. Frit succulent. Seed arillate, with copious 
oily-fleshy ruminated albumen; embryo small, with an inferior 
radicle. 
