438 SYSTEMATIC BOTAKT. 



rows, the lattei* -with an imbricated aestivation. Carpels more 

 or less distinct. Seeds arillate ; albumen fleshy, homogeneous. 

 Distribution, Examples of the Genera, and Numbers. — The 

 plants of this order occur chiefly in Australia, India, and equi- 

 noctial America ; a few species have been also found in equi- 

 noctial Africa ; none occur in Europe. Examples: — Dillenia, 

 Hibbertia, Candollea, Hemistemma, Delima, Tetracera. There 

 are above 26 genera, and 200 species of plants known belonging 

 to tills order. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of the order have nsually 

 astringent properties, and have been used as vulneraries, and 

 for tanning in Brazil. The young calyces of some species of 

 Dillenia have an acid taste, and are employed as an ingredient 

 of curries in some parts of India. Some species of Dillenia 

 grow to a large size and form hard durable timber. There 

 are no plants belonging to the order which are applied to any 

 use in this country. 



Most of the Indian species belonging to the genus Dillenia, 

 are remarkable not only for their evergreen foliage, but also 

 for the beauty of their flowers. They are sometimes cultivated 

 as stove or greenhouse plants in this country. 



Natural Order 3. Magxoliacea:. — The Magnolia Order. — 



General C li a r a c t e r Trees or shrubs, with alternate leathery 



leaves {jig. 313, b), and with usmilly large convolute stipules, 

 which enclose the leaf-bud and fall oft" as it expands. Sepals 

 usually three to six, deciduous. Petals three or more, hypo- 

 gynous, in two or more rows. Stamens numerous, hypogynous 

 (jic/. 589, e). Carpels several, one-celled, often arranged upon 

 an elongated thalanms (Jig. 589, c). Fruit consisting of nu- 

 merous, dry or succulent, dehiscent (Jig. 652), or indehiscent 

 carpels, distinct or somewhat coherent. Seeds anatropal, with 

 or without an aril, solitary or several, often suspended from 

 the fruit by a long funiculus (Jig. 652). Embryo minute ; 

 albumen fleshy, homogeneous. 



Diagnosis. — Trees or shrubs; leaves alternate. — Stipules 

 usually present, and then large and sheathing the leaf-bud, 

 deciduous. Sepals and petals with a ternary arrangement of 

 their jiarts, hypogynous, the former deciduous, the latter with an 

 imbricated i\2stivation. Carpels distinct. Albumen homogeneous. 



Division of the Order, and Examples of the Genera. — The 

 order is divided irito two tribes: — 



Tribe 1. Magnoliea'. — Carpels arranged u])on an elongated 

 thalamus in a cone -like manner. Leaves not dotted, or scarcely 

 so, Exaviples : — IMagnolia, Iviriodendron . 



Tribe 2. Winterecr.— Carpels forming but one whorl. Leaves 

 dotted, and often exstipulate. Examples: — Driniys, Illicium, 

 Tasmanni:!. 



Distribution and Numbers. — The majority of the order are 

 found in North America. Some also occur iu the West Indies, 



