MONOCHLAMTDE^. 633 



a nuniber of achsenia crowned with persistent feathery styles, 

 and enclosed in the tube of the calyx. Seeds erect, with a 

 minute embryo at the base of fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^x. — Natives of Australia and Chili. There are 

 but 3 genera, namely, Atherosperma and Doryphora from Aus- 

 tralia, and LaureUa from Chili ; these include 4 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are fragrant plants. The achse- 

 nia of Laiirelia somewhat resemble common Nutmegs in their 

 odour. A decoction of the bark of Atherosperma moschata is 

 stated by Backhouse to be used in some parts of Australia as 

 a substitute for China tea. This bark resembles sassafras in 

 flavour and odour, hence it is sometimes known under the name 

 of Australian Sassafras ; it is occasionally imported into this 

 country. The wood is also valuable as timber. 



Natural Order 202. Moximiaceje. — The Monimia Order. — 

 Diagnosis. — Trees or shrubs, with opposite exstipulate leaves, 

 FJouers axillary, diclinous. The flowers generally resemble 

 those of the Atherospermaceee, but they differ in always being 

 unisexual ; in the longitudinal dehiscence of their anthers ; in 

 the absence of feathery styles to the fruit ; and in their ovules 

 and seeds being pendulous. 



Distribution, ^c. — They are principally natives of South 

 America, but are found also in Australia, Java, Madagascar, 

 Mauritius, and New Zealand. Examples of the Genera : — Moni- 

 mia, Boldoa. There are about 40 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are aromatic fragrant plants, but 

 have no particular importance in an economical or medicinal 

 point of view. 



Natural Order 203. Myeisticaceje. — The Nutmeg Order.— 

 Character. — Trees. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, entire, 

 stalked, leathery. Flowei^s diclinous. Calyx leathery, 3 — 4-cleft; 

 in the female flower, deciduous; (Estivation valvate. Mcde flower 

 with 3 — 12 stamens, or rarely more numerous ; filaments distinct 

 or monadelphous ; anthers, 2-celled, extrorse, distinct or united, 

 with longitudinal dehiscence. Female floiver of 1 or many car- 

 pels; or rarely 2, and distinct; each with 1 erect ovule. Fruit 

 succulent. Se(d arillate, with copious oily-fleshy ruminated 

 albumen ; embryo small, with an inferior radicle. 



Distribution, ^-c. — Natives of tropical India and America. 

 Examples of the Genera : — Myristica, Hyalostemma. There are 

 above 40 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Aromatic properties are almost univer- 

 sally found in the plants of this order, more especially in their 

 seeds. The bark and the pericarp are frequently acrid, 



Myristica. — The valuable and -n-eU-known spices caUed Xiitmegs and 

 Mace are both derived from M. moschata (njfici7iaUs), the Nutmeg tree. The 

 Nutmeg tree is a native of the Molucca Islands, but it is now cultivated in 

 Ceylon, Malabar, in the Malayan Archipelago and Peninsula, Mauritius, 

 some of the West India Islands, &c. At Penang, Malacca, and Singapore, 

 where formerly the best nutmegs were obtained, its cultivation has declined 



