642 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Bistrihution, ^-c. — They are natives principally of North 

 America and the Levant. Flatanus is the only genus, of which 

 there are 5 or 6 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of no particular importance, except 

 that, from their being large handsome trees, they are commonly 

 planted in our parks and squares. The leaves resemble in form 

 those of the Sycamore tree. The timber is sometimes used by 

 the cabinet maker. 



Natural Order 215. Stilaginaceje. — The Stilago Order, — 

 Character. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, simple, 

 leathery, with deciduous stipules. Flowers minute, unisexual, 

 in scaly spikes. Cal^x 2 — 5-partite. Male flowers consisting 

 of 2 or more stamens on an enlarged thalamus ; anthers usually 

 2-lobed, with a fleshy connective, and dehiscing transversely at 

 the apex. Female flowers with a superior, 1 — 2-celled ovary, 

 each cell with 2 suspended ovules. Fruit drupaceous. Seeds 

 suspended, albuminous ; embryo straight, with leafy cotyledons, 

 and a superior radicle. 



Distribution, ^-c. — Natives of Madagascar and the East Indies. 

 Examples of the Genera: — Stilago, Falconeria. There are about 

 20 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. The fruits of Antidesma 

 piibescens and Stilago Bunias are sub-acid and agreeable. 



Natural Order 216. Ceratophyllaceje. — The Horn wort 

 Order.- — Character. —Aquatic herbs. Leaves verticillate. 

 Flowers minute, axillary, sessile, monoecious. Calyx or invo- 

 lucre inieuov, 8 — 12-partite. Male flower consisting of 12 — 20 

 stamens, without filaments ; anthers 2-celled. Female flower 

 with a superior 1-celled ovary, and 1 pendulous ovule. Fruit 

 hard or nut-like, indehiscent. Seed exalbuminous, pendulous ; 

 e/)nbryo with a large many-leaved plumule, and a very short 

 inferior radicle. 



Bistrihution, ^r. — Natives of the northern hemisphere. 

 Ceratophyllum is the only genus, which includes, according to 

 Chamisso, 6 species ; but, according to Schleiden, only one. The 

 properties and uses of the species are unknown. 



Natural Order 217- CAXLiTRiCHACEiE. — TheStarwort Order. — ■ 

 Character. — Small aquatic herbs. Leaves opposite, entire, 

 simple. Flowers minute, axillary, solitary, unisexual, achlamy- 

 deous. Male flower of 1 — 2 stamens, anthers reniform. Female 

 flower with a 4-cornered, 4-celled ovary, with 1 suspended 

 ovule in each cell. Fncit indehiscent, 4-celled. Seeds 4, peltate, 

 with fleshy albumen ; embryo inverted, with a very long superior 

 radicle. 



Bistrihution, S(c. — Natives of fresh-water pools, in Europe and 

 North America. Callitriche is the only genus ; this includes several 

 varieties or species. Their properties and uses are unknown. 



Natural Order 218, Euphorbiaceje. — The Spurgewort Order 



