558 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



the calyx, alternate with its lobes, and equal to them in number. 

 Stamens on the calyx, twice or thrice as many as its lobes, or still 

 more numerous. Ovary inferior, 2, 3, or 4-celled, each cell with 2 

 or more pendulous ovules. Fruit indehiscent, 1 -celled, 1-seeded, 

 crowned by the calyx. Seed pendulous, exalbuminous, usually 

 germinating Avhile the fruit is still attached to the tree. 



Distribution, ^c. — Natives of muddy sea-shores in tropical 

 regions. Examples : — Rhizophora, Kandelia, Bruguiera, There 

 are 5 genera, and 20 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Generally remartable for their astrin- 

 gent properties, whence they are used for dyeing and tanning, 

 and also in medicine as febrifuges and tonics. 



Rhizophora Mangle. The Man grove -Tree (fig. 235).— The bark is sometimes 

 imported into tliis country as a tanning material, but it isnotmnci) used. The 

 fruit is sweet and edible, and its juice when fermented forms a kind of wine. 



Natural Order 116. Alangiace^. — The Alangium Order. 

 — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, entire, exstipulate, with- 

 out dots. Culi/x superior, 5 — 10-toothed. Petals 5 — 10, 

 linear, reflexed. Stamens equal in number, or twice, or four 

 times as numerous as the petals ; anthers adnate. Om/y inferior, 

 1 — 2-celled ; style simple; ovules solitary, pendulous. Fruit 

 drupaceous, more or less united to the calyx, 1 -celled. Seed 

 solitary, pendulous, with fleshy albumen and large flat leafy- 

 cotyledons. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives of various parts of the East Indies 

 and the United States. E.vamples : — Alangium, Marlea, Nyssa. 

 There are 4 genera and 8 species. 



Properties and Uses: — Of little importance. Some species of 

 Alangium are said to be purgative and aromatic; their succulent 

 fruits arc also edible. The fruit of Nyssa capitata or candicans 

 is used occasionally as a substitute for Lime fruit, whence it is 

 called the Oyechee Lime. 



Natural Order 1 1 7. Cornace.s;. — The Cornel or Dogwood 

 Order. — General Character. — Shrubs, trees, or rarely herbs. 

 Leaves simple, opposite, or very rarely alternate, exstipulate. 

 Flowers perfect, or rarely unisexual, aiTanged in heads, or in a 

 corymbose, or umbellate manner, with or without an involucre. 

 Calyx superior, 4-lobed. Petals 4, broad at the base, inserted at 

 the top of the calyx-tube ; estivation valvate. Stamens 4, in- 

 serted with the petals, and alternate to them. Ovary inferior, 

 surmounted by a disk, 2-ccllcd; ovules pendulous, solitary, ana- 

 tropous ; style and stiyma simple. Fruit drupaceous, crowned 

 with tlie remains of the calyx. Seeds pendulous, solitary; "m- 

 bryo in the axis of fleshy albumen, to which it is nearly equal in 

 Icntjjth; cotyledons large and leafy. 



Diagnosis. — Trees, shrubs, or rarely herbs, with simple, exsti- 

 pulate, and (with but one exception) oi)positc leaves. Flowers 

 perfect, or sometimes unisexual. Caly.x superior, 4-lobed. Co- 



