CALYCIFLOR^. 557 



are known from it by their minute calyx, the limb of which is 

 frequently obsolete; and by having solitary pendulous seeds, 

 which have fleshy albumen, or are exalbuminous. 



Distribution, 8fc. — They are found in all parts of the world. 

 Examples : — Hippuris, Myriophyllum, Loudonia, Trapa. There 

 are 10 genera, and 70 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance except for their 

 edible seeds. 



Trapa.— This is a genus of floating aquatic plants, remarkable for their 

 horned fruit, and large amygdaloid seeds with unequal cotyledons. Tlie seeds 

 are edible. Trapa natans is the Marron d'Eau or Water-Chestnut ; T. bicornis 

 is called ling by the Chinese, and its seeds are highly esteemed by them. T. 

 bispinosa is the Singhara Nut, and is largely consumed in Cashmere and some 

 other parts of India. 



Natural Order 114. CosrBRETACE^. — The Myrobalan Order, 

 — Trees or shrubs. Leaves exstipulate, entire, without dots. 

 Flowers perfect or unisexual. Calyx superior, with a 4 — 5- 

 lobed deciduous limb. Petals equal in number to, and alter- 

 nate with, the lobes of the calyx; often absent. Stamens 

 inserted with the petals on the calyx, generally twice as nume- 

 rous as the lobes of the calyx, or thrice as many, or equal 

 to them in number; anthers 2-celled, with longitudinal or val- 

 vular dehiscence. Oyar?/ inferior, 1-celled, with 2—4 pendulous 

 ovules ; style and stigma simple. Fruit indehiscent, 1 -seeded. 

 Seeds exalbuminous; cotyledons leafy, convolute or plaited. 



Distribution, ^c. — Exclusively natives of the tropical parts of 

 America, Africa, and Asia. Examples: — Terminalia, Cono- 

 carpus, Combretum, Gyrocarpus. There are 22 genera, and 

 200 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The order is chiefly remarkable for the 

 presence of an astringent principle, hence the barks of some spe- 

 cies, and the fruits and flowers of others, are employed in tanning 

 and dyeing. Some yield excellent timber. Combretum butyrosum, 

 a native of South-eastern Africa, produces a kind of vegetable 

 butter, which is called Chiquito by the CafFres, by whom it is 

 used to dress their victuals. 



Terminalia Chebula The fruits are largely imported into this country 



under the name of Myrohalans or Myrabolams. Those of T. belerica, called 

 Bastard myrubalans, or Bedda nuts, of T. citrina, and probably those of other 

 species, have similar properties. They form good durable yellow and black 

 dyes, and are also used in tanning. The flowers of T. Chebula are also used 

 as a dye in Travancore. They have been also employed in medicine, as 

 astringents and tonics. The seeds of T. belerica are edible, as are also those 

 of T. Catappa and some other species. The seeds of T. citrina are purgative. 

 T. Benzoin has a milky juice, which upon drying, forms » fragrant and 

 resinous substance resembling Benzoin in its properties. 



Natural Order 115. Ehizophorace^. — The Mangrove Order. 

 — Trees (fig. 235) or shrubs. Leaves simple, opposite, dotless 

 or rarely dotted, with deciduous interpetiolar stipules. Calyx 

 superior, 4 — 12-lobed, with a valvate aestivation, the lobes some- 

 times united so as to form a calyptra. Petals arising from 



