322 MANUAL OF BOTANY 



sometimes wanting, exarillate ; embryo long, with a short in- 

 ferior radicle, and large flat cotyledons. 



Diagnosis. — Small trees or shrubs, with simple leaves and 

 small regular us g all}' perfect flowers ; rarely unisexual. Calyx 

 4 — 5-parted, valvate, with the tube coated with a disc. Petals 

 and stamens distinct, perigynous, and equal in number to the 

 divisions of the calyx ; the petals sometimes wantmg, but, when 

 present, opposite to the stamens. Ovary more or less superior, 

 surrounded by a fleshy disc. Fruit 2- 3- or 4-celled, with one 

 erect seed in each cell. Seed usually albuminous, without an 

 aril. 



Distrihiition and iVwjn&e?-.?.— Generally distributed over the 

 globe except in the very coldest regions. Illustrative Genera : — 

 — Zizyphus, Tourn. ; Khamnus, Juss. There are about 400 

 species. 



Projjerties and Uses. — Some of the plants have acrid and 

 purgative properties; others are bitter, febrifugal, and tonic. 

 A few are used in the preparation of dyeing materials, and some 

 few others have edible fruits. 



Ordcrlll. Yitace^, theYine Order.--Cliaracter. — Usually 

 sliruJjs, with a watery juice, climbing by tendrils, the young 

 nodes swollen. Leaves simple or compound, opposite below, 

 alternate above, stipulate or exstipulate. Flowers regular, 

 small, green, stalked. Calyx minute, with the limb generally 

 obsolete. Petals 4 or 5, sometimes united at the base ; inserted 

 on a disc which surrounds the ovary, caducous; (estivation 

 induplicate. Stamens corresj)onding in number to the petals 

 and opposite to them, also inserted on the disc ; filaments dis- 

 tinct or somewhat united at the base ; anthers versatile, burst- 

 ing longitudinally. Ovary superior, surrounded by a disc ; 

 usually 2-celled ; style very short, simple ; stigma simple. 

 Fruit succulent, sometimes termed a nuculanium, usually 2- 

 celled. Seeds erect, few, usually 2 in each cell ; testa bony ; 

 albumen hard ; embryo erect, with an inferior radicle. 



Diagnosis.— Shrubby plants, climbing b}' tendrils, with sim- 

 ple or compound leaves, which are opposite below and alternate 

 above. Flowers small, green, regular. Petals and stamens 

 corresponding in number, 4 or 5, the latter opposite to the 

 petals, both inserted on an hypogynous disc ; aestivation of 

 petals induplicate ; anthers versatile, opening longitudinally. 

 Ovary superior, surrounded by a disc, with a \evy short simple 

 style and stigma. Fruit baccate. Seeds few ; testa bony ; 

 embryo erect in horny albumen ; radicle inferior. 



