632 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



separated from the Lauraceae by Lindley. The only important 

 differences between the Lauracese and the CassythaceiE con- 

 sist in the plants of the latter being parasitical in their habit ; in 

 having scales in place of true leaves ; and in their fruit being 

 enclosed in a succulent calyx. 



Distribution, &-c. — Natives of tropical regions. There is only 

 1 genus— Cassytha, which contains 9 species. Their uses are 

 unknown. 



Natural Order 201. Atherospermace^. — The Plume 

 Nutmeg Order. — Trees with opposite exstipulate leaves. 

 Flowers axillary, racemose, bracteated, dichnous or rarely 

 perfect. Calyx tubular, with several divisions. Male flowers 

 with numerous perigynous stamens ; anthers 2-celled, opening 

 by recurved valves. Female flower usually with abor- 

 tive scaly stamens. Carpels numerous, distinct, each with a 

 solitary erect ovule ; styles and stigmas as many as the carpels. 

 Fruit consisting of a number of ach^enia enclosed in the tube of 

 the calyx and the persistent styles Avhich have grown into fea- 

 thery awns. Seeds erect, with a minute embryo at the base of 

 fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^c. — Natives of Australia and Chili. There are 

 but 3 genera, and 4 species, namely Atherosperma and Dory- 

 phora from Australia, and Laurelia from Chili. 



Properties and Uses. — They are fragrant plants. The achcenia 

 of Laurelia somewhat resembles the common Nutmeg in their 

 odour. A decoction of the bark of Atherosperma moschata is 

 stated by Backhouse to be used in some parts of Australia as a 

 substitute for China tea. The wood is also valuable as timber. 



Natural Order 202. Monimiace^. — The Monimia Order. — 

 Diagnosis. — Trees or shrubs, with opposite exstipulate leaves. 

 Flowers axillary, dichnous. The flowers generally resemble 

 those of the Atherospermaceaj, but they diff'er in always being 

 unisexual ; in the longitudinal dehiscence of their anthers ; in 

 the absence of feathery styles to the fruit ; and in their ovules 

 and seeds being pendulous. 



Distribution, Sfc. — They are principally natives of South Ame- 

 rica, but are found also in Australia, Java, Madagascar, the 

 Mauritius, and New Zealand. Examples : — Monimia, Ci- 

 trosma, Boldoa. There arc 8 genera, and 40? species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are aromatic fragrant plants, but 

 have no particular importance either in an economical or medi- 

 cinal point of view. 



Natural Order 203. Myristicace^. — The Nutmeg Order. 

 — Trees. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, entire, stalked, leathery. 

 Flowers dxcWnons. Calyx leathery. 3— 4-clcft; in the female flower, 

 deciduous; astivation valvatc. Male flower w'lih. 3 — 12 stamens, 

 or rarely more wwxwQxovi^; filaments distinct or monaddphous ; 

 anthers, 2-cellcd, cxtrorsc, distinct or united, with longitudinal 



