THAXAMIFXOHiE. 429 



Diagnosis. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate. No stipules. 

 Calvx of 3 sepals, persistent. Petals 6, in two rows, hypogy- 

 nous, usually valvate. Anthers adnate, with an enlarged 4-cor- 

 nered connective. Albumen ruminated. 



Distribution, ^'C. — The plants of this order are almost entirely 

 confined to the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and America. 

 None are found in Europe. Examphs of the Genera : — Xylopia, 

 Anona, Monodora. There are about 300 species in this order. 



Properties and Uses. — Grenerally aromatic and fragrant in all 

 their parts. Some are useful, as the following : — 



Anona squamosa and A. viuricata jieM the delicious succulent fiiiits of 

 the East and West Indies, called Custard-apples ; the fruit of A. squamosa is 

 called Sweet-sop ; that of A. muricata, Sour-sop. Other species are also 

 esteemed for their fruits, as Anona reticulata, which yields the netted Cus- 

 tard-apple, and A. Cherimolia, which produces the Cherimoyer of Pern. 

 Another species, namely, A. palustris, is the source of West Indian Cork- 

 wood, so called fi'om its elasticity and lightness. 



Coelocline (Unona) polijcarpa, D.C.— The Berberine or Yellow-dye tree 

 of Soudan. — The bark of this tree yields a beautiful yeUow colour, which 

 is much used as a dyeing material in certain parts of Africa. When reduced 

 to a coai-se powder, it is also a topical remedy of great repute in the treat- 

 ment of indolent ulcei-s, and chronic leprous sores of the extremities. It 

 contains Berberia, to which its medicinal virtues are probably due. 



Duguetia quitavensis. — According to Schomburgk, the strong elastic wood 

 called Lance-wood, chiefly used by coachmakers, is furnished by this plant, 

 which is a native of Guiana. 



Monodora Myristica, the Calabash Nutmeg, has somewhat similar aromatic 

 qualities to the true Nutmeg of commerce. 



Uvaria febr if uga.— The fruit of this species is supposed to be the one which 

 is used as a febrifuge by the Indians on the Orinoco ; according to Martiua, 

 however, that is obtained from the Xylopia grandiflora. 



Xylopia. — X. aromatica {Habzelia cethiopica), D.C., commonly kno^Ti as 

 Piper sethiopicum. The dried fruit of this plant is used by the African 

 negroes on accoimt of its stimulant and carminative effects, and also as a 

 condiment. Xylopia undulata has nearly similar properties. Xylopia glabra 

 yields the Bitter wood of the West Indies, which has tonic properties. 



Natural Order 5. Lardizabaxace^. — The Lardizabala Order. 

 Character. — Shrubs of a twining habit. Leaves alternate, 

 exstipulate, compound. Flowers unisexual. Barren flower: 

 — Calyx and Corolla with a ternary arrangement of their parts, 

 each in one or two whorls, deciduous. Stamens 6, opposite the 

 petals, usually monadelpbous, sometimes distinct. BvMmeatary 

 carpels 2 or 3. Fertile flower: — Calyx and corolla as before, 

 but larger, hypogynous. Stamens 6, very imperfect and sterile. 

 Carpels distinct, generally 3, rarely 6 or 9, 1-celled; ovtcles usually 

 numerous, rarely 1, imbedded on the inner surface of the ovary. 

 Fruit baccate, or sometimes follicular. Seed with usually a 

 minute embryo in a large quantity of solid albumen. 



Diagnosis. — Twining shrubs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, 

 compound. Unisexual flowers. Carpels distinct, superior. 

 Seeds parietal, imbedded ; embryo usually minute, with abundant 

 homogeneous albumen. 



Distribution, ^'c. — There are about 15 species belonging to 



