CALYCIFLOR^. 551 



Natural Order 109. Baeringtokiacks:. — The Barringtonia 

 Order. — Diagnosis. — This is a small order of plants usually 

 placed amoug the MyrtacecB, but Lindley considers them as quite 

 distinct from that order in these particulars; namely, the pre- 

 sence of a large quantity of albumen in their seeds, and in harino- 

 alternate, dotless, and often serrated leaves. Thomson has 

 proved that the seeds are exalbuminous, so that the characters 

 separating them from Myrtaceae are very slight indeed. Another 

 character of distinction is in the aestivation of the calyx in the 

 two orders respectively ; thus in that of Myrtacese it is valvate, 

 in that of Barringtoniacese imbricated. 



Distribution, 4~c. — Natives of tropical regions in all parts of 

 the world. Examples of the Genera: — Barringtonia, Gustavia. 



Properties and Uses. — The bark of Straveidium raceraosum is 

 reputed to be febrifugal, and the root bitter, aperient, and acrid. 

 The fruit of Careya arhorea is eaten, while that of Gustavia 

 hraziliana is emetic, and produces an in'oxicating effect upon 

 fish. Generally the plants of the order should be regarded as 

 somewhat dangerous. 



Natural Order 110. Belvisiace.^. — The Belvisia Order. — 

 C h a r a c t e r. — Shrubs. Leaves alternate, esstipulate, with a lea- 

 thery texture. Calyx superior, coriaceous, 5-parted, with a 

 valvate aestivation. Corolla consisting of three distinct whorls 

 of united petals. Stamens 20, unequally monadelphous. Disk 

 fleshy, and forming a cup-shaped expansion over the ovary. 

 Ovary o-celled, with two ovules in each cell ; placentas axile ; 

 style 5-angled or o-winged; stigma pentagonal. Fruit a soft 

 rounded berry, crowned by the calyx. Seeds large, kidney- 

 shaped, exalbuminous. 



Distrihutio7i, cf'c — Natives of tropical Africa. Examples of the 

 Genera: — Asteranthos, Napoleona. These are the only genera, 

 and they include 4 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Nothing is known of their uses, except 

 that the pulp of their fruits is edible, and the pericarp contains 

 much tannin. They might be used as astringents. 



Natural Order 111. Melastomace^t:. — The Melastoma Order. 

 — Character. — Trees, shrubs, or herbs. Leaves opposite, and 

 almost always ribbed and dotless. Calyx 4, 5, or 6-lobed, more 

 or less adherent to the ovary, imbricated. Petals equal in num- 

 ber to the divisions of the calyx, twisted in aestivation. Stamens 

 equal in number, or twice as many as the petals; fdamcnts 

 curved downwards in aestivation ; anthers long, 2-celled, curioxisly 

 beaked, usually dehiscing by two pores at the apex, or some- 

 times longitudinally, in aestivation lying in spaces between the 

 ovary and sides of the calyx. Ovary more or less adherent, 

 many-celled. Fruit either dry, distinct from the calyx, and 

 dehiscent ; or succulent, united to the calyx, and indehiscent. 

 Seeds very numerous, minute, exalbuminous. 



