45G 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



3—5, or rarely 10 valves; or imperfectly 3—5 — 10-celled; pla- 

 centas parietal (Jig. 868). Seeds definite or numerous, albumi- 

 nous (Jig. 869); embryo (Jig. 869) curved or spiral, with the 

 radicle remote from the hilum. 



Fig. 868. 



Fig. 869. 



Fio- 8(JS. Diagram of the flower of a spenies of IMlanthemum Fig. 8(50. 



Section of the seed of a species oi Cistus, tlie pointed end being its upcx. 



Diagnosis.— JjesLves entire. Sepals and petals with a ternary 

 or quinary arrangement, twisted in estivation; the former per- 

 sistent, the latter caducous. Stamens hypogynous, distinct. 

 Ovary with parietal placentas ; style single ; stigma simple. 

 Fruit capsular. Seeds with mealy albumen; embryo inverted, 

 curved or spiral. 



Distribution, 8fc. — These plants are most abundant in the 

 south of Europe and the nortli of Africa. Some few are found 

 in other parts of the globe. Examples: — Cistnii, Helianthemum. 

 There are 7 genera, and 185 species. 



Properties and Uses. — These plants have generally resinous 

 and balsamic properties. Some are regarded as stimulant and 

 emmenagogue. The more important plants of the order are: — 



Cistus creticus. — The fragrant resinous substance called Ladanum is obtained 

 from the above plant in the Levant, and also from C. Ladanifervs, C. Ledoti, 

 &c. It has been useii as a stimulant, expectorant, and emmenagogue. It is 

 also much esteemed by the J'urks as a perfume, and for fumigation. 



Cochlospermum Gossypium. — Accordmg to Royle, the trunk of this plant 

 yields the gum Kuteera, which in the north-western provinces of India &c., is 

 substituted for Tragacanth. 



Natural Order 19. Bixace^ or Flacodrtiace^. — The 

 Annatto or Arnatto Order. — G e n e r al C h a r a c t e r. — Shrubs or 

 small trees. Leaves alternate, exstipuhite, usually entire and 

 leathery, and very often dotted. Sepals 4—7, somewhat united 

 at the base. Petals hypogynous, distinct, equal in number to 

 the sepals and alternate with tliein, sometimes absent. Star/iens 

 hypogynous, of the same number as the petals, or some multii)lc 

 of tluiiii. Ovan/ 1 or more' celled, sessile or slightly stalked ; 

 placentas 2 oi' more, parietal, sometimes branched so as to form 



