586 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



centas axile. Seeds numerous, with a loose testa ; embryo 

 minute, at the base of fleshy albumen. 



Distributioyi, Sfc. — Natives of North America, Europe, and the 

 northern parts of Asia. Examples : — Chimaphila, Pyrola. 

 There are 5 genera, and 20 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are chiefly 

 remarkable for tonic, astringent, and diuretic properties. 



Chimaphila umbellata. Winter Green, Pipsissewa. — This herb possesses 

 diuretic and tonic properties. The fresh leaves are acrid, and when applied to 

 the skin act as a rubefacient. 



Natural Order 139. Epacridace^. — The Epacris Order. — 

 Shrubs or small trees. Leaves alternate, or rarely opposite, 

 simple, Avith parallel or radiating veins. Calyx and corolla 

 inferior, usually 5 -parted, rarely 4-parted. Stamens equal in 

 number to the divisions of the corolla, or rarely fewer, hypo- 

 gynous, or adherent to the corolla; anthers 1-cclled, without 

 appendages, opening longitudinally. Ovary superior, many 

 or 1 -celled ; style simple. Fruit fleshy or capsular. Seeds with 

 a firm skin, albuminous. 



Distribution, ^c. — Natives of Australia, the Indian Archipe- 

 lago, and the South Sea Islands, Avhere they are very numerous, 

 in the same way as the Ericacece are at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 Examples : — Styphelia, Astroloma, Lissanthe, Epacris. There 

 are 31 genera, and about 320 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance except for the 

 beauty of their flowers, on which account they are much culti- 

 vated. The fruits of many are edible, as those of Astroloma 

 humifusum, the Tasmanian Cranberry ; Leucopogon Rickei, the 

 Native Currant of Australia; Lissanthe sapida, &c. 



3. Epipetalaj. 



Natural Order 140. Ebenace.e. — The Ebony Order. — 

 Trees or shrubs without milky juice. Leaves alternate, entire, 

 coriaceous, exstipulate. Flowers polygamous. Calyx 3 — 7- 

 parted, inferior, persistent. Corolla 3 — 7 -parted. Stame7is, 

 equal in number to the lobes of the corolla, or twice, or four 

 times as many, attached to the corolla, or hypogynous; anthers 

 2-ccllcd, introrsc, opening longitudinally. Ovary 3 — 12-cclled, 

 each cell with 1 or 2 ovules suspended from the ajiex; style 

 usually having as many divisions as there are cells to the ovary. 

 Fruit floshy. Seeds large, all)uminous. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are mostly natives of tropical India, 

 but a few occur in colder regions. Examples: — lloycna, Dios- 

 pyros. There are 12 genera, and about 160 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Many of the trees of this order are re- 

 markable for the hardness of their wood, which is known under 



