492 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



gynous, sometimes coherent at the base ; imbricated or valvate. 

 Stamens twice as many as the petals, monadelphous ; hnthers 

 sessile, placed within the orifice of the tube formed by the co- 

 lierent filaments. Disk hypogynous, sometimes large and cup- 

 like. Ovary compound, usually 2, 3, 4, or .5-celled, rarely 10 

 or 12-celled; stylfi 1 ; stigmas separate or combined; ovules 1, 2, 

 or rarely 4 in each cell. Fruit baccate, drupaceous, or capsular, 

 in the latter case opening loculicidally ; many-celled, or by abor- 

 tion 1-celled. Seeds few, not winged, arillate or exarillate; 

 albumen fleshy, or usually absent ; embryo, generally with leafy 

 cotyledons. 



Diagnosis. — Trees or shrubs, with usually alternate, simple or 

 pinnate, exstipulate leaves. Flowers hypogynous, and generally 

 symmetrical. Calyx and corolla with 3, 4, or 5 divisions. 

 Stamens twice as many as the petals, distinctly monadelphous ; 

 anthers sessile. Disk hypogynous, and often surrounding the 

 ovary like a cup. Ovary 2— 5, or 10, or 12-celled; style 1; 

 ovules 1, 2, or 4, attached to axile placentas. Fruit succulent, 

 or capsular with loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds few, not winged ; 

 albumen fleshy or absent. 



This order is very nearly allied to Cedrelacese, and by some 

 botanists, the latter order is included in it. The order Meliaceae 

 is chiefly distinguished from Cedi-elaceje by having more com- 

 pletely monadelphous stamens, by the possession of fewer seeds, 

 and in those seeds being without wings. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are found more or less in all the 

 tropical parts of the globe ; but are said to be more common in 

 America and Asia than in Africa. A few are extra- tropical. 

 Examples : Melia, Aglaia, Lansium, Trichilia, Guarea, Carapa. 

 There are 33 genera, and 150 species. 



Properties and Uses. — These plants are generally remarkable 

 for bitter, tonic, and astringent properties. Some are powerful 

 purgatives and emetics, as Guarea Aubletii, G. trichilioides, G. 

 purgans, G. spicijlora, and some species of Trichilia. These all 

 require much caution in their administration, and in some cases 

 are reputed poisonous. Some have edible fruits. The more 

 interesting plants are the following : — 



Melia Azedarachta. — This is the Neem-tree or Priiie of India ; it is also 

 called the Margosa-tree. It possesses febrifugal properties. The pericarp 

 yields by expression a fixed oil, which is used for burning, and is reputed 

 antispasmodic. The tree also yields a kind of toddy, which is employed 

 as a stomachic. The root of M. Axedarach is used in North America as an 

 anthelmintic. 



Aglaia odorata — The flowers of this species are sometimes used to give a 

 pertume to certain varieties of Tea. 



Lansium. — 'l\\\s is a genus of plants inhabiting the East Indian Archi- 

 pelago. They yield fruits which are much esteemed, and known under the 

 names of Langsat or I>anseh, and Ayer-Ayer. 



Milnra ednlis also produces an agreeable fruit, which is eaten. 



Carann friiinccrixis, or Touloucuuna. — The seeds of this )<lant yield a fatty 

 oil, called Kundab or Tallicoonah, which is purgative and anthelmintic; it 

 is also adapted for burning in lampg,^nd for other purposes. The seeds of 



