608 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Diagnosis. — The plants of this order resemble the Boraginaceae 

 in most of their characters, but they differ in having the carpels 

 completely united so as to form a 2 or more celled ovary ; in 

 their terminal style; and drupaceous fruit. They are usually 

 characterised also, by the presence of a small quantity of albu- 

 men in their seeds. This is, however, sometimes absent. By 

 some authors, the Ehretiacere are made a sub -order of the Bora- 

 gin acegs. 



Distribution, ^c. — Chiefly tropical trees or shrubs. Exam- 

 ples : — Ehretia, Heliotropium. There are 14 genera, and 297 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. Some species of Ehretia 

 have edible fruits. Some have a delicious odour, as the Peru- 

 vian Heliotrope {Heliotropium peruvianuin). 



Natural Order 167. Nolanace^. — The Nolana Order. — 

 Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate. Inflorescence 

 straight. Calyx 5-partite, persistent, with a valvate aestivation. 

 Corolla regular, with a plaited a3stivation. Stamens 5, opposite to 

 the lobes of the calyx. Ovary composed of from .5 — 20 carpels, 

 either distinct, oranore or less combined into several sets; style 

 on a fleshy disk, simple ; stigma simple. Fruit composed of .5 or 

 more separate achienia, or more or less combined ; enclosed in 

 the persistent calyx. Seed \Nit\\ a little albumen; embryo curved; 

 radicle inferior. 



Distribution, §T. — Natives exclusively of South America, es- 

 pecially of Chili. Examples: — Nolana, Alona. There are 6 

 genera, and 35 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Natural Order 168. Labiate or Lamiace^. — The Labiate 

 Order (figs. 991 — 996). — General Character. — Herbs (flg. 

 370) or shi'ubby plants, with usually square stems. Leaves 

 opposite (fig. 370), commonly strong-scented, exstipulate. 

 Flowers generally in axillary cymes, which are arranged in a 

 somewhat whorled manner so as to form what are called ver- 

 ticillasters (fig. 370). Calyx persistent, tubular, 5 or 10-tootlied, 



Fig. 99f 



V^ 



Fi!/. 901. 



Diagram of the flower of the "White Dead-nettle (Lamium album). 

 J'ia- W2. Flower of the common Bugle {AJitga re.ptans). 



