484 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



filaments. Bisk hypogynous, sometimes large and cup-like. 

 Ovary compound, usually 2, 3, 4, or 5-celled, rarely 10 or 

 12-celled; style 1; stigmas separate or combined; ovules 1, 2, 

 or rarely 4, in each cell. Fmit baccate, drupaceous or capsular, 

 in the latter case opening loculicidally ; many-celled, or by abor- 

 tion 1 -celled. Seeds few, not winged, arillate or exarillate ; 

 albumen fleshy, or usually absent ; embryo generally with leafy 

 cotyledons. 



Diagnosis. — Trees or shrubs, with usually alternate, simple or 

 pinnate, exstipulate leaves. Flowers hypogynous, and generally 

 symmetrical. Calyx and corolla with 3, 4, or 5 divisions. 

 Stamens twice as many as the petals, distinctly monadelphous ; 

 anthers sessile. Disk hypogynous, and often surrounding the 

 ovary like a cup. Ovary 2 — 5, or 10, or 12-celled; style 1; 

 ovules 1 , 2, or 4, attached to axile placentas. Fruit succulent, 

 or capsular with loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds few, not winged ; 

 albumen fleshy or absent. 



This order is very nearly allied to Cedrelacese, and by some 

 botanists, the latter order is included in it. The order Meliacese 

 is chiefly distinguished from Cedrelacese by having more com- 

 pletely monadelphous stamens, by the possession of fewer seeds, 

 and in those seeds being without wings. 



Distribution, ^c. — They are found more or less in all the 

 tropical parts of the globe ; but are said to be more common in 

 America and Asia than in Africa. A few are extra-tropical. 

 Examples of the Genera: — Melia, Aglaia, Carapa. There are 160 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — These plants are generally remarkable 

 for bitter, tonic, and astringent properties. Some are powerful 

 purgatives and emetics, as Guarea Aubletii, G. trichilioides, G. 

 jpurgans, G. spiciflora, and some species of Trichilia. These all 

 require much caution in their administration, and in some cases 

 are reputed poisonous. Some have edible fruits. The more 

 important plants are the following : — 



Aglaia odorata. — The flowers of this species are sometimes used to give a 

 I)erfume to certain varieties of Tea. 



Azadirachta indica, the Nim, Neem, or Margosa tree of India.— The bark 

 IK)ssesses astringent, tonic, and antiperiodic properties ; and the fi-esh leaves 

 are stimulant, and are used as an external application in the fonn of a 

 poultice to indolent ulcers, &c. The leaves have been also lately recom- 

 mended as a valuable remedy in the premonitory and progressive stages of 

 small-pox. The seeds also yield a bitter oil, which is a favourite native 

 remedy in India as an anthelmintic, and as an external application in rheu- 

 matism, &c. 



Carapa. — The seeds of C. guineensts or Touloucouna yield by expression a 

 fatty oil, called Kundah or TaUicoonah, which is purgative and anthelmin- 

 tic ; it is also adapted for burning in lamps, and for other purposes. The 

 seeds of C. guianensis, also yield a somewhat similar oil, called Crab oil, 

 which possesses analogous properties. The bark of these species possesses 

 febrifugal properties. 



