BOTANY. 95 



Order 48. Lacistemace^, the Lacistema Family. FloAvcrs polygamous. 

 Perianth in several narroAV divisions, covered by an enlarged bract. Sta- 

 mens, one, hypogynous ; anther having two cells, which are separated by a 

 thick, two-lobed connective, and Avhich dehisce transversely. Disk fleshy. 

 Ovary superior, one-celled ; ovules several, anatropal, attached to two or 

 three parietal placentas ; stigmas two or three, nearly sessile. Fruit a uni- 

 locular, two- or three-valved capsule, Avith loculicidal dehiscence. Seed 

 usually by abortion, solitary, suspended, Avith a fleshy arillus ; spermoderm 

 crustaceous ; embryo in fleshy albumen ; cotyledons flat ; radicle cylindrical, 

 superior. Small trees or shrubs, Avith simple, alternate, exstipulate leaves, 

 and amentaceous floAvcrs. They are natives of the Avarm parts of America. 

 Their properties are unknoAvn. There are tA\o genera and six species. Ex- 

 ample : Lacistema. 



Order 40. Athergspermace.ts, the Plume-Nutmeg Family. FloAvers 

 unisexual. Perianth tubular, divided at the top into several segments, in tAvo 

 roAvs, the inner often petaloid, and accompanied in the female floAvers with 

 a few scales. Male floAvers : stamens 00, inserted in the bottom of the 

 perianth ; filaments, Avith scales at the base ; anthers tAvo-celled, with valvu- 

 lar dehiscence. Female floAvers : ovaries, usually 00 ; OA'ule solitary, erect ; 

 style simple, lateral, or basilar : stigmas, simple. In some floAvers, though 

 rarely, stamens and pistils are found, and in that case tlie stamens are 

 fcAver, and arise from the orifice of the perianth. Fruit consisting of achaenia, 

 Avith persistent, ultimately feathery styles, inclosed Avithin the tube of the 

 perianth. Seed solitary, erect ; embryo small, at the base of soft, fleshy 

 albumen ; radicle inferior. Trees with opposite exstipulate leaves, found in 

 x\ustralia, and in some parts of South America. They are generally fragrant. 

 There are three knoAvn genera and four species, according to Lindley. Exam- 

 ples : Atherosperma, Laurelia. 



Order 50. Monimiace.e, the ^onimia Family. Flowers unisexual. 

 Perianth someAvhat globose, in one or more roAVS, divided at the border. 

 Male floAvers : stamens indefinite, covering the Avhole interior of the perianth ; 

 filaments, often Avith two scales at the base ; anthers dithecal, Avith longitu- 

 dinal dehiscence. Female floAvers : ovaries several, superior, inclosed within 

 the tube of the perianth, each Avith one stjle and one stigma ; ovule solitarA\ 

 pendulous, anatropal. Fruit consisting of several achsenia, inclosed Avithin 

 the enlarged perianth. Seed pendulous : embryo, at the end of copious fleshy 

 albumen ; radicle superior. Trees or shrubs, Avith opposite, exstipulate leaves. 

 They are natives chiefly of South America and Australia. The bark and 

 leaves are aromatic and fragrant. The succulent fruit of some is eaten. 

 There are eight knoAvn genera and about forty species. Examples : Monimia, 

 Boldoa. 



Order 51. Stilaginace.e, the Stilago Family. FloAvers unisexual. 

 Perianth tAvo-, three-, or five-parted. Male floAvers : stamens two or more, 

 arising from a sAA'ollen receptacle; filaments, capillary ; anthers innate, two- 

 lobed, with a fleshy connective, and vertical cells opening transversely. 

 Female floAvers : ovary free, one- or tAvo-celled ; ovules two, anatropal ; 

 .stigma sessile, three- to five-toothed. Fruit drupaceous. Seed solitary, 



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