FLORA OF TROPICAL AFRICA, 



Class I. DICOTYLEDONS. 



First rudimentary leaves of the embryo opposite. Calyx and corolla 

 usually tetramerous or pentamerous. Leaves irregularly net-veined. Vas- 

 cular bundles of the stem confluent around the pith, increasing indefinitely 

 by additions to the outside. 



The characters given in the following list of the Natural Orders which are included in 

 this volume, are subject to many exceptions, but few of which are indicated here. It is 

 proposed to give an Analytical Key to the Orders on the completion of the work. 



SUBCLASS I. POLYPETALiE. 



Petals distinct, rarely wanting or connate at the base. 



Cohort!. Ranales. — Stamens indefinite {except Menispermacese), ^y;?o^yMOMJ (^j- 

 cejit Nymphsea). Carpels distinct^ free or immersed singly in the torus, rarely connate 

 below. Albumen usually copious. Embryo relatively small {except Meuispermaceae). 



I. RANuNcuLACEja. Herbs with radical or alternate leaves, or shrubby climbers with 

 opposite leaves. Stipules 0. Sepals deciduous. Petals in Clematis and Thalictrum. 

 Arillus 0. 



IL Dilleniacej:. Shrubs with alternate, simple, exstipulate, often scabrid leaves. 

 Stipules 0. Sepals persistent. Seeds arillate. 



III. ANONACEiE. Shrubs or trees, with alternate, entire, exstipulate leaves. Calyx and 

 corolla trimerous. Carpels indefinite. Albumen ruminate. 



IV. MENISPERMACE.E. Climbing or twining shrubs, rarely herbs. Leaves alternate, 

 exstipulate, usually palminerved. Flowers small, dioecious. Stamens 6 (3-9), free or 

 connate. 



V. Berberidaceje. Shrub with fasciculate leaves. Sepals, petals, and stamens each iu 

 2 or 3 series of 3 each. Anthers dehiscing by valves. Carpel 1. 



VI. Nymph^ace^. Floating herbs. Leaves orbicular or elliptical. Stamens indefi- 

 nite. Carpels free or consolidated. 



Cohort II. VBxietaleii.— Stamens definite or indefinite, hypcgynous. Ovary syn- 

 carpous, with parietal flacent alien, \-celled or spuriously divided by cellular placentary 

 dissepiments. Ovules rarely solitary. 



VII. Papavebace^. Herbs, with radical and alternate leaves. Sepals 2-3, deciduous 

 or caducous. Stamens indefinite or definite and diadelphous. Seeds albuminous. 



VIII. Crucifer^. Herbs, with alternate exstipulate leaves. Sepals 4. Petals 4. Sta- 

 mens usually tetradynamous. Albumen 0. 



VOL. I. n 



