DICOTYLEDONES— MONOCHLAMYDE.E 247 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are principally found in 

 the hotter parts of America and Asia. Three species are natives 

 of Europe, and a few occur in Africa and some other regions. 

 Illustrative Genera: — Myzodendron, Sol.; Viscum, Tourn.; 

 Loranthus, Linn. There are above 400 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unimportant. Some are astringent. 



Order 27. Santalaceje, the Sandal-wood Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves entire, alternate. Flowers 

 usually hermaphrodite. Calyx superior, 4 — 5-cleft, valvate in 

 aestivation. Stamens perigynous opposite to the segments of the 

 calyx and equal to them in number. Ovary 1- celled, inferior ; 

 ovules 1 — 4, without integuments ; ylacentaixee-Qenir&l. Fruit 

 indehiscent, 1-seeded. Seed with a quantity of fleshy albumen ; 

 embryo straight, minute ; radicle superior. 



Distribution and Nimibers. — Natives of various parts of the 

 world. The species found in North America and Europe are 

 inconspicuous herbs ; those of India, Australia, &c., are trees 

 or shrubs. The genus Thesium is partially parasitic on the 

 roots of other plants. Illustrative Genera : — Thesium, Linn. ; 

 Santalum, Linn. There are about 120 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Some of these plants, as Thesium, are 

 slightly astringent ; others have a fragrant wood ; and a few 

 produce edible fruits and oily seeds. 



Order 28. Balanophorace^, the Balanophora Order. — 

 Character. — Leafless root-parasites with amorphous fungoid 

 stems of various colours, but never green ; and underground 

 more or less fleshy tubers or rhizomes. Peduncles naked or 

 scaly, bearing spikes of flowers, which are commonly" unisexual, 

 bracteate, and of a white colour. Male flowers very evident, 

 each with a tubular calyx, which is either entire or 3 — 5-lobed. 

 Stamens usually 3 — 5, or sometimes 1, in the former case more or 

 less united or distmct. Female floivers very minute, with a 

 tubular superior calyx, the limb either wanting or present and 

 bilabiate. Ovary inferior, usually 1-celled ; styles 2 ; ovule soli- 

 tary, pendulous. Fruit small, more or less compressed, in- 

 dehiscent. Seed solitary, albuminous, with a lateral midivided 

 or amorphous embryo. 



Distribution and Numbers. — These plants are parasitical on 

 the roots of various Dicotyledonous plants, especially in the 

 tropical and sub-tropical momitains of Asia and South America. 

 Other species are found in different parts of Africa, Australia, 

 &c. Illustrative Genera : — Cynomorium, Michel ; Balanophora, 

 Forst. There are, according to Sir Joseph Hooker, 37 species. 



