DICOTYLEDOXES— DISCIFLOK.E 317 



Distribution and Niimhers. — They are found more or less 

 in all the tropical parts of the globe, but are said to be more 

 common in America and Asia than in Africa. A few are extra- 

 tropical. Illustrative Genera : — Melia, Linn. ; Aglaia, Lour. 

 There are about 150 species. 



Froi}ertics and Uses. — These plants are generally remarkable 

 for bitter, tonic, and astringent properties. Others are power- 

 ful purgatives and emetics, as Guarea Auhletii, G. tricliilioides, 

 G. purgans, G. spicifiora, and some species of Trichilia', these 

 all require much caution in their administration, and in some 

 cases are reputed poisonous. A few species have edible fruits. 

 The seeds of some yield fixed oils by expression. 



Order 100. Cedrelace.e, the Mahogany Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Trees. Leaves alternate, pinnate, exstipulate. Calyx 

 4 — 5-cleft, imbricate. Petals hypogynous, of the same number 

 as the divisions of the calyx, imbricate Sta)nens twice as 

 many as the petals and divisions of the calj^x, either united 

 below into a tube, or distinct and inserted into an annular 

 h^^pogynous disc ; anthers 2-celled, with longitudinal dehis- 

 cence. Ovary usually with as many cells as there are divisions 

 to the calyx and corolla, or rarely only 3 ; ovules 4 or more, in 

 two rows, anatropous ; style and stig))ia simple. i^V« if capsular, 

 dehiscence usually septifragal. Seeds flat, winged, attached to 

 axile placentas ; albu)nen thin or none ; enihryo straight, erect, 

 with the radicle next the liilum. This order is now frequently 

 incorporated with Meliacece. 



Distrihution and Numbers. — Chiefly natives of the tropical 

 parts of America and India ; they are very rare in Africa. Illus- 

 trative Genera: — Swietenia, Linn.; Soymida, Ad)-. Juss. 

 There are about 25 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order have fra- 

 grant, aromatic, tonic, astringent, and febrifugal properties, 

 and many of them are valuable timber-trees. 



Order 101. Chailletiace^, the Chailletia Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Trees or sliruhs. Leaves alternate, entire, stipulate. 

 Calyx inferior, with 5 sepals; aestivation induplicate. Stamens 

 10, perigynous, in two alternate whorls, the outer petaloid and 

 sterile ; but the latter whorl more resembles a corolla. Ovary 

 superior, 2 — 3-celled, with twin suspended ovules. Fruit dry, 

 1 — 3-celled. >See(:7s exalbuminous. This order has been variously 

 placed, but is more commonly referred here. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of tropical regions. 



