THALAMIFLOEJE. 459 



or 5, either distinct, or united so as to form a compound ovary, 

 often stalked ; styles equal in number to the carpels, distinct or 

 united ; ovules usually definite, sometimes indefinite. Fruit 

 either composed of a number of follicles, or capsular {fig. 692), 

 or rarel)' baccate. Seeds with fleshy-oily albumen, or none ; 

 embryo straight or curved ; cotyledons either plicate or rolled 

 round the plumule. 



Diagnosis. — The plants of this order are at once known 

 among the Thalamifloral Exogens, by their valvate 5-part-ed 

 ca,lyx ; contorted corolla consisting of 5 distinct petals ; nume- 

 rous perfect stamens united by their filaments into a column ; 

 and 2-celled extrorse anthers. The character presented by the 

 anthers should be particularly noticed, as that alone at once 

 distinguishes them from the Malvacese and Byttneriace?e, which 

 in many other respects they closely resemble. It should also be 

 observed, that the flowers of some of the Sterculiacese are uni- 

 sexual by abortion. 



Division of the Order, and Examples of the Genera. — This 

 order has been divided into three tribes as follows : — 



Tribe 1 . Bomhacece. — Leaves palmate or digitate, flowers perfect. 

 Examples : — Adansonia, Bombax. 



Tribe 2. Helicterece. — Leaves simple, flowers perfect. Examples: 

 — Matisia, Helicteres. 



Tribe 3. StermdiecB. — Leaves simple or palmate, flowers uni- 

 sexual by abortion. Examples : — Heritiera, Sterculia. 



Distribution and Niimbers. — Natives of the tropics, or of very 

 warm regions. The Bombacece are chiefly found in America, the 

 Stereidiece mostly in India and Africa. Xone of the Helicterece 

 occiir in Africa. About 130 species belong to this order. 



Properties and Uses. — In their properties the plants of this 

 order resemble the Malvaceae: thus, they are generally muci- 

 laginous, demulcent, and emollient ; others have a hairy cover- 

 ing to their seeds; and others yield fibres. The cottony covering 

 of their seeds, and the fibres yielded by plants of this order, are 

 not, however, to be compared in importance to similar products 

 of the Malvaceae. Some plants are reputed to be diuretic, emetic, 

 or purgative. Many of the Bombacece are remarkable for their 

 prodigious size, height, and apparently enormous age. The 

 more interesting plants are as follows : — 



Adansonia diaitafa, the Baobab-tree. — Tbe fniit, commonly knoTm as 

 Monkey-bread or Ethiopian Soirr-gourd. has its seeds surroimded by a large 

 quantity of a starchy piilp Mith an acid flavour much resembling cream of 

 tartar. This forms a wholesome and agreeable article of food. "When mixed 

 with water it is used as an acid drink, which is regarded as a specific in 

 putrid and pestilential fevers. It is also employed in Egypt in dysentery. 

 All parts of the tree possess emollient and demulcent properties. Its 

 powdered leaves are used by the Africans under the name of Lalo, mixed 

 Avith their daily food, to check excessive perspii-ation. This property is owing 

 to the presence of an astringent matter ; hence they have been found seiwlce- 



