MONOCHLAJITDE^:. 629 



Distribution, Sfc. — Thej are generally diffused in the northern 

 hemisphere, and rare in the southern. Examples : — Hippophae, 

 Elieagnus. There are 4 genera, and 30 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. The fruits of Elaagnus 

 orientalis are esteemed in Persia, and those of E. arborea, con- 

 ferta, and others, are eaten in certain parts of India. Those also 

 of Hippophae rhamnoides, the Sea-Buckthorn, which is a native of 

 England, are also edible, and hare been employed in the manu- 

 facture of a sauce for fish, but their use requires caution, as they 

 contain a narcotic principle. 



Natural Order 197. Peoteace^ — The Protea Order. — 

 Shrubs or small trees. Leaves hard, dry, exstipulate. Flowers 

 perfect. Calyx inferior, 4 -partite or of 4 sepals; (Estivation 

 valvate. Stamens perigynous, equal in number to the di- 

 visions of the calyx and opposite to them ; anthers bursting 

 longitudinally. Ovary simple, superior, 1 -celled, with 1 or 

 more ovules, ascending. Fruit dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds 

 exalbuminous, with a straight embrj-o, and an inferior radicle. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives chiefly of Australia and the Cape 

 of Good Hope. Examples: — Leucadendi'on, Protea, Conosper- 

 mum, Franklandia, Persoonia, Grevillea, Hakea, Banksia, Dry- 

 andra. There are 46 genera, and 650 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are chiefly remarkable for the 

 beauty or singularity of their flowers, and their evergreen foliage. 

 The wood is largely emploj'cd at the Cape and in Australia for 

 burning, and occasionally for other purposes, thus, that of Protea 

 grandijlora is used at the Cape of Good Hope for waggon-wheels, 

 hence the plant is named Wagenboom. 



Natural Order 198. Pe>^eace^. — The Penaea or Sarco- 

 colla Order. — Evergreen shrubs, with opposite, exstipulate, im- 

 bricated leaves. Flowers perfect. Calyx inferior, bracteated, 

 4-lobed ; (Estivation valvate or imbricate. Stamens perigynous, 

 4 or 8, alternate with the divisions of the calyx when equal to 

 them in number. Ovary superior, 4-celled ; style 1 ; stigmas 4, 

 with appendages on one side. Fruit 4-celled, dehiscent or in- 

 dehiscent. Seeds varying in position, exalbuminous ; embryo 

 with very minute cotyledons. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are only found at the Cape of Good 

 Hope. Examples: — Penaa, Sarcocolla, Geissoloma. There 

 are 6 genera, and 2 1 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. — The gum-resin called 

 Sarcocolla, is generally considered to be derived from one or more 

 plants of this order, but its origin is doubtful, and is conjectured 

 by Lindley to be yielded by an Umbelliferous plant. 



Natural Order 199. Laurace^. — The Laurel Order. — 

 Trees or shrubs. Leaves exstipulate, usually alternate and 

 dotted. Flowers generally perfect, sometimes imperfectly uni- 

 sexual ifg. 1004). Calyx inferior {fig. 1004), deeply 4— 

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