MYRTACE^!. 411 



aestivation convolute, imbricate. Stamens oo^ (rarely 10), in one or 

 two rows, arising from the orifice of the calyx. Ovary adherent to 

 the tube of the calyx; styles distinct, or united into one; stigmas 

 4-10 ; ovules oo , attached to a central placenta. Fruit a 4-10-celled 

 capsule, free above. Seeds co , scobiform, subulate, smooth, pendulous, 

 with a loose membranous arillus ; albumen fleshy ; embryo straight, 

 about as long as the albumen; cotyledons flat; radicle next the hilum, 

 obtuse. Shrubs with deciduous, opposite, exstipulate leaves without 

 dots; flowers usually in trichotomous cymes. They are natives of 

 the South of Europe, of North America, Japan, and India. They have 

 no marked properties. The flowers of Philadelphus coronarius, Syringa, 

 have a peculiar sweetish odour, which to some persons is overpowering 

 and disagreeable. The smell is due to the presence of an oil. Deutzia 

 scabra has a scurfy matter on its leaves, which, under the microscope, 

 is seen to consist of beautiful stellate hairs. There are 3 genera enu- 

 merated, including 25 species. Examples Philadelphus, Deutzia, 

 Decumaria. 



866. Order 79. Myrtaccie, the Myrtle Family. (Polypet. Epigyn.) 

 Calyx, 4-5-6-8-cleft, the limb sometimes cohering at the apex, and 

 falling off like a lid ; aestivation valvate. Petals attached to the calyx, 

 alternating with its segments, and equal to them in number, with a 

 tjuincuncial aestivation, rarely 0. Stamens inserted with the petals, 

 twice as many as the petals, or co ; filaments distinct, or united in one 

 or more parcels, curved inwards in the bud ; anthers ovate, dithecal, 

 with longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary adherent to the tube of the 

 calyx, 1-6-celled ; style and stigma simple ; ovules anatropal, pendu- 

 lous or erect. Fruit dry or fleshy, dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds 

 usually oo , attached to a central placenta ; mostly exalbuminous ; 

 embryo straight or curved; cotyledons distinct (fig. 514), or consoli- 

 dated with the radicle, which is next the hilum. Trees or shrubs, 

 with opposite, rarely alternate leaves, which are usually entire and 

 dotted, and frequently have an intramarginal vein. They are natives 

 chiefly of warm countries, as South America and the East Indies. 

 Many, however, are found in more temperate regions. Some of the 

 genera are peculiar to Australia. The order has been divided into 

 the following suborders: 1. Chanaaslauciese, heath-like plants with a 

 1 -celled ovary and capsule, and opposite dotted leaves. 2. Lepto- 

 spermese, having a multilocular capsule, and opposite or alternate, usually 

 dotted leaves. 3. Myrtea?, having a baccate fruit, distinct stamens, 

 opposite dotted leaves. 4. Barringtoniea3, having a fleshy 1-celled 

 fruit, monadelphous stamens, albuminous seeds, opposite or verticillate 

 leaves, not dotted. 5. Lecythidese, having a multilocular woody cap- 

 sule, which either remains closed or opens by a lid, monadelphous 

 stamens, alternate, not dotted leaves. Several of these suborders are 

 made separate orders by Lindley and others. There are 77 known genera, 



