THAIAMIFLOE^. 461 



ing. Leaves simple, alternate, with usually deciduous stipules. 

 Calyx 4 — 5-lobed, valvate {fig. 428). Corolla absent, or having 

 as many petals as there are lobes to the calyx, either twisted 

 or induplicate in aestivation {fig. 429), permanent or deciduous. 

 Stamens hypogynous, equal in number to the petals and op- 

 posite to them, or twice as numerous, or indefinite ; when the 

 stamens are more numerous thau the petals some are always 

 sterile ; filanients more or less united; anthers 2-celled, introrse. 

 Ovary sessile or stalked, composed of 4 — 10 carpels united 

 round a central column ; style simple ; stigmas equal in number 

 to the carpels ; ovules 2 in each cell. Fruit usually capsular, 

 with a loculicidal dehiscence, or indehiscent, or the fruit separates 

 into its component parts when ripe — that is, in a septicidal 

 manner. Embryo generally lying in a small quantity of fleshy 

 albumen, straight or somewhat ciu'ved; cotyledons plaited or 

 spiral. 



Diagnosis. — The only orders likely to be confounded with 

 this, are the Sterculiacese, Malvaceae, and Tiliaceae. From the 

 former, it is at once distinguished by its introrse anthers, and by 

 the stamens being definite, or, if more numerous than the petals, 

 some of them being always sterile. From the Malvaceae, it is 

 known by its 2-celled anthers, by the stamens being frequently 

 equal in number to the petals and opposite to them, or if more 

 numerous some of them being sterile, and also from the fila- 

 ments not being united into so evident a column. From the 

 Tiliaceae, it is distinguished readily by its monadelphous stamens, 

 and by the absence of a disk. 



Distribution, gr. — They are chiefly tropical plants, but some 

 species of the order are found scattered in almost every quarter 

 of the globe, except Europe. Examples oftlie Genera: — Byttneria, 

 Theobroma, Guazuma. There are 400 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants have properties resembling 

 the Malvaceae and Sterculiaceae : thus, some are mucilaginous, 

 as Waltheria Douradinha, the species of Pterosperymun, the 

 young bark of Guazuma idmifolia, and the bark of Ahroma 

 angustum, Dombcya spectahilis, &c. The fruit of Guazuma 

 ulmifolia contains a sweetish mucilaginous, agreeable pulp, which 

 is eaten in Brazil. By far the most important plant of the 

 order is 



Theobro?na Cacao, the Cacao or Cocoa Tree. — This tree is a native of 

 Demerara and Mexico, and it is extensively cultivated in the West Indies, 

 Central America, Mauritius, &c. From its seeds, Cacao or Cocoa, and 

 Chocolate are prepared. In the manufacture of Chocolate, the seeds are 

 first roasted, then divested of their husks and ground, and afterwards tritu- 

 rated in a mortar with an equal quantity of Sugar, to which some Vanilla 

 or Cinnamon is added for flavouring, and a small quantity of Amatto as a 

 colom-iug agent. All the finer qualities are thus prepared, but the flavouring 

 is sometimes produced by adding Sassafras nuts, cloves, or some other aro- 

 matic. Chocolate derives its name from the Indian term (chocolat). Cocoa 

 or Cacao is either prepared by grinding up the roasted seeds with their outer 



