DICOTYLEDONES— MONOCHLAMYDE^ 243 



Atherospermaceae, 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 and Numbers. — They are principally natives of 

 South America, but are foimd also in Australia, Java, Mada- 

 gascar, Mauritius, and New Zealand. Illustrative Genera : — 

 Monimia, TJiouars ; Peumus, Pers. There are about 40 species. 



Proj)erties and Uses. — -"They are aromatic fragrant plants, but 

 their properties are of no great importance. 



Order 19. Atherospermace^, the Plume Nutmeg Order. — 

 C h a r a c t e r. — Trees, with opposite exstipulate leaves. Flowers 

 axillary, racemose, bracteate, imisexual or rarely perfect. 

 Calyx inferior, tubular, with several divisions. Male flowers 

 with numerous perigynous stamens ; 

 anthers 2-celled, opening by recurved Fig. 1002. 



valves. Female flowers usually with 

 abortive scaly stamens. Carpels superior, 

 numerous, distinct, each with a solitary 

 erect ovule ; styles and stigmas as many 

 as the carpels. Fruit consisting of a 

 number of achgenia crowned with the per- 

 sistent feathery styles, and enclosed in 

 the tube of the calyx. Seeds erect, with a 

 minute embrvo at the base of fleshy albu- Fig. 1002. Vertical section 



rr,-, . '' 7 . 7-7 •_t7 of the female flower of 



men. This order is combined ivith Laurus nobuis, the Sweet 



MonimiacecB by Bentham and Hooher. ^^y- 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives 

 of Australia and Chili. There are but 3 genera : namely, Athero- 

 sperma, LabilL, and Doryphora, Endl., from Australia ; and 

 Laureha, Juss., from Chili. These include four species. 



Properties and Uses. — They are fragrant plants. The 

 achaenia of Laurelia somewhat resemble common Nutmegs in 

 their odour. 



Series 5. — Daphnales. 



Order 20. Laurace^, the Laurel Order. — Character. — 

 Aromatic trees or shrubs (parasitic and twining in Cassytha). 

 Leaves simple, exstipulate, usually alternate, sometimes dotted 

 {Cassytha has scales mstead of foliage leaves). Flowers generally 

 hermaplnrodite or sometimes unisexual. Calyx inferior, deeply 

 4 — 6-cleft, coloured, in two whorls, the limb sometimes obsolete ; 

 cestivation imbricate. Stamens perigynous, definite, some always 



r2 



