ONAGRACE^!. 413 



ferum, pomiferum, and Cattleyanum; the latter are procured from species 

 of Eugenia, as E. Jumbos, and Malaccensis. The berries of the com- 

 mon Myrtle (Myrtus communis) are also used as food. Punica Gr ana- 

 turn, the Pomegranate-tree, is a native of the warmer parts of Asia and 

 Northern Africa, whence it was introduced into Europe. It is the pm 

 of Scripture. It produces dark scarlet flowers, formerly called Balaustia, 

 which have been used as an astringent. The fruit of the Pomegranate 

 has given rise to much difference of opinion among botanists. It is 

 composed, in the young state, of two rows of carpels, some of which are 

 placed round the axis, and adhering to the bottom of the calycine 

 tube, while others are placed outside, and adhere to the upper part of 

 the tube. The subsequent contraction of the tube of the calyx, and 

 the peculiar adhesion of the placentas, according to Lindley, account, 

 for the anomaly in the fruit (Balausta, ^[ 550). The rind of the fruit 

 (malicorium), and the bark of the root, are used as anthelmintics, 

 especially in cases of tape-worm. Lecythis ollaria, a large Brazilian 

 tree, yields the woody capsules called Monkey-pots, which open by 

 circumscissile dehiscence. These seed-vessels seem to be formed in 

 the same way as the calyx of Eucalyptus, the part where the lid 

 separates indicating the articulations of the carpellary leaves. The 

 seeds are eatable, and are relished by monkeys. The bark of the tree 

 may be separated into numerous thin layers. Bertholletia excelsa is the 

 source of the Brazil nuts. 



868. Order 80. Onagracete, the Evening-Primrose Family. (Poly- 

 pet. Epigyn.) Calyx tubular, the limb having usually 4 (fig. 399 T), 

 sometimes 2, 3, or 6 divisions (fig. 531), which cohere in various 

 ways ; aestivation valvate. Petals usuaUy equal in number to the 

 calycine segments, regular (rarely irregular), inserted into the tube of 

 the calyx (fig. 399 p); aestivation twisted. Stamens usually 4 or 8 

 (rarely 1 or 2, fig. 531), epigynous (fig. 399 e); filaments distinct; 

 pollen triangular, usually cohering by threads. Ovary 2-4-celled 

 (figs. 384, 531), adherent (fig. 399 o), usually with an epigynoxis 

 disk; style filiform; stigma capitate (fig. 399 s) or 4-lobed; ovules 

 (figs. 384 o, 399 g) indefinite, rarely definite, anatropal. Fruit succu- 

 lent or capsular, dehiscent or indehiscent, 1 -2-4-celled. Seeds usually 

 co , exalbuminous; embryo straight, with a long slender radicle point- 

 ing to the hilum, and short cotyledons. Herbs or shrubs, with alter- 

 nate or opposite, simple, not dotted leaves, and with the parts of the 

 flower usually tetramerous. They inhabit chiefly temperate regions, 

 and are found abundantly in Europe, Asia, and America, and sparingly 

 in Africa. Some yield edible fruits, as Fuchsia, others furnish edible 

 roots, as (Enoihera biennis. Many of them have mucilaginous proper- 

 ties, while a few are astringent. Trapa has unequal cotyledons. T. 

 itatans, Water Chestnut, and T. bicornis, remarkable for its horned 

 fruit, both supply edible seeds. There are about 30 known genera, 



