THYMEL2EIK&. 449 



berry or drupe, or a nut which may be falsely berry-like, the 

 partly persistent receptacle being fleshy and enveloping it. 



This family appears the most nearly allied to the Frangulinse, especially the 

 Rhamnaceae, and may be considered as a further development of these in the 

 direction of the petaloid development of the receptacle and reduction of the 

 corolla and gynoeceum, which in this instance only consists of one carpel. 

 Another deviation is that both the whorls of stamens are present, while one 

 of these is always wanting in Frangulinas. They also appear to be related to 

 the Lauracese (see page 391). 



Order 1. Thymelseaceae. The flowers are most frequently 

 (Fig. 483). The receptacle is high, generally tubular, coloured, 

 and bears on its edge the 4- (or 5)-merous calyx, with imbricate 

 aestivation. The corolla is wanting or is represented by small 

 scales. The stamens are situated on the inside of the receptacle, 

 and number 4 + 4 (or 5 + 5) ; stigma capitate. 1 pendulous ovule 



FIG. 483. Daphne mezereum: A flower; B longitudinal section of pistil. 



(Fig. 483 B), the radicle pointing upwards. The fruit is most 

 frequently a berry. A disc is sometimes developed. Endosperm wanting 

 or very slight. 



Daphne (Spurge-Laurel, Fig. 483) has a deciduous receptacle, 

 often coloured ; sepals 4 ; petals absent ; stamens 4 + 4. Berry. 

 Gnidia (corolla) ; Pimelea (2 stamens) ; Thymel&a ; Passerina and 

 others. 



400 species ; chiefly in the warm, sub-tropical zone, especially the Cape and 

 Australia. Only Daphne and Thymelcea in Europe. In the fruit and bark of 

 some, for example Daphne, pungent, burning and poisonous properties are found. 

 The bark of D. mezereum (native and cultivated) andD. laureola is officinal. A 

 specially tough bast is found in some species, for example Lagetta lintearia 

 (Lace-tree, Jamaica), which is used in weaving. Some are cultivated in gardens 

 as ornamental shrubs, especially species of Daphne. 



Order 2. Elseagnaceae. Shrubs or trees, which are easily 

 recognised by the covering of peltate hairs found upon almost all 



