474 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



tnately enlarged so as to form Aving-like expansions crowning 

 the fruit; the latter with equal petals, and twisted in aestivation. 

 Stamens hypogynous, numerous, with beaked anthers. Fruit 

 1 -celled, 1 -seeded. Seed without albumen; radicle superior. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives exclusively of the forests of the 

 tropical East Indies, with the exception of the genus Lophira, 

 which belongs to tropical Africa. The latter genus, by End- 

 licher and others, has been separated from the Dipteraceaj, 

 and placed in an order by itself under the name of Lophiraceaj. 

 The chief characters of distinction are, its I -celled ovary with 

 numerous ovules on a free central placenta, and its inferior 

 radicle. Examples: — Dipterocarpus, Dryobalanops, Valeria, 

 Shorea. There are 8 genera (or 7, if we exclude Lophira), and 

 48 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order form very large 

 and handsome trees, which abound in an oleo-resinous juice= 

 To the presence of this they owe their peculiar properties. The 

 more important plants are as follows: — 



Dipterocarpus.— Se\ora\ species of this genus, as D. turbinatus, D. cos- 

 tatus, D. alatus, ;uid D. incanus, yield an oleo-resinous substance, called 

 Wood-oil, or Gurjun Balsam. In its properties it resembles the so-called 

 Balsam of Copaii)a, and is used for similar purposes, and has been even 

 sold in England for that drug. Wood-oil is also used in India for painting 

 houses, &c. 



Dryobalanops aromatica or Camphora. — This is a large tree, a native of 

 Sumatra and Borneo. From its stem a liquid, called Liquid Camphor or 

 Camphor- oil, and a crystalline solid substance, which is named Sumatra or 

 Borneo Camphor are obtained. The Liquid Camphor is obtained by making 

 deep incisions into the tree. It is a hydro-carbon, and has an odour resem- 

 bling a mixture of Cajeput-oil, camphor, and cardamoms. It has been used 

 in the preparation of scented soap. The Solid Sumatra Camphor is found in 

 fissures and cavities in the interior of the trunk, and can only be extracted 

 from the tree by cutting it down and dividing it into pieces. It generally 

 occurs only in small pieces, but occasionally, masses weighing 10 or l'2lb.s. 

 have been removed. This camphor resembles in its properties the ordinary 

 officinal or Laurel Camphor. It is not, however, a commercial article in this 

 country, or in Europe, because it is so highly esteemed by the Chinese, that 

 they will give from 80 to 100 times more money for it than that which they 

 obtain for their own camphor, which is the kind used in this country, and 

 which is believed by us to be equally beneficial. Tlie solid camphor can only 

 be obtained from the mature trees, while the liquid oil is obtainable also from 

 the young; hence it is probable that, the liquid oil becomes convertea into the 

 solid camphor as the trees increase in age. 



I'ateria indica. — This plant yields an oleo-resinous substance, which is 

 known in Indii< under tl)e name of Piney Kesin, or Piney Dammar. It is 

 used as a varnish, and for making candles. It has been imported in small 

 quantities into this country under the name of Pmey Tallow. It has some 

 resemblance to Indian Copal or Gum Anime, and has been sometimes con- 

 founded with thnt substance, which is supposed to be the produce of Hymetitea 

 Courbaril, a plant belonging to the Leguminosffi. (See Ilymencca.) 



Shorea robusta is a valuable timber-tree ; it is a native of India, and its wood 

 is there extensively use! under the name of Sal. A balsamic resin is also 

 obtained from the plant called Ilal, Dhoona, or Dammar-pitch, which is prin- 

 cipally employed for incense. S. Tumbugaia yields a similar resin in India. 



Natural Order 33. CnL;ENACi:;E Tlie Sarcohuna Order.— 



General Charactc r. — IVees or shnihs. Leaves entire, alter- 

 nate, with large deciduous convolute stipules. Flowers regular, 



