244 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



Fig. 1003. 



sterile ; filaments distinct, the inner ones commonly with glands 

 at their base ; anthers adnate, 2— 4-celled, I, /, dehiscing by 

 recurved valves, v. Ovary superior, 1-celled, with 1 or 2 sus- 

 pended ovules. Fruit baccate or drupaceous. Seeds exalbu- 

 minous; embryo with large cotyledons, and a superior radicle. 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are chiefly natives of 

 tropical regions, but a few occur in North America, and one 

 {Laurus nobilis) in Europe. Illustrative Genera : — Cinnamo- 

 Ynnm., Burm. \ Nectandra, i?of^6. ; Laurus, Tourn. There are 

 above 450 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are ahnost 

 universally characterised by the possession of aromatic pro- 

 perties, which are due to the presence of volatile oils ; many of 

 them are therefore employed as aromatic 

 stimulants. Others are narcotic ; some have 

 sudorific properties ; and several are tonic, 

 stomachic, febrifugal, or astringent. A few 

 have edible fruits, and many yield valuable 

 timber. 



Order 21. Proteace.i:, the Protea Order. 

 — Character.— iS7irM&s or small trees. 

 Leaves hard, dry, opposite or alternate, exsti- 

 pulate. Flowers usually hermaphrodite. 

 Calyx inferior, 4-partite or of 4 sepals ; cEsti^ 

 vation valvate. Stamens ^evigyjiow^, equal in 

 number to the partitions of the calyx and 

 opposite to them ; anthers bursting longi- 

 tudinally. Ovary simple, superior, 1-celled, 

 with 1 or more o\Tdes, ascending or sus- 

 pended. Fruit dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds exalbuminous ; 

 embryo straight, radicle generally inferior. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives chiefly of Australia and 

 the Cape of Good Hope. Illustrative Genera : — Protea, Linn. ; 

 Banksia, Linn. fil. There are more than 600 species. 



ProjJerties and Uses. — They are chiefly remarkable for the 

 beauty or singularity of their flowers and their evergreen foliage. 

 But the fruits and seeds of some species are eaten ; and the 

 wood is largely employed at the Cape and in Australia for burn- 

 ing, and occasionally' for other purposes ; thus, that of Protea 

 grandiflora is used at the Cape of Good Hope for wagon- 

 wheels, hence the plant is named "Wagenboom. The seeds of 

 Macadamia ternifolia. a native of Queensland, are edible. 



Order 22. Thymelace^, the Mezereon Order. — C h a r a c t e r. 



Fig. 1003. Vertical 

 section of tlie flow- 

 er of a species of 

 Daphne. 



