LORANTHACE.J:. 429 



simple. Fruit fleshy, crowned by the limb of the calyx, 2-celled, 

 rarely 1 -celled by abortion ; endocarp bony (fig. 473). Seeds solitary, 

 pendulous ; embryo straight, long, hi the axis of fleshy albumen ; 

 radicle superior, shorter than the oblong cotyledons. Trees, shrubs, 

 or herbs, with opposite, very rarely alternate, exstipulate leaves, and 

 capitate, umbellate, or corymbose flowers. They inhabit the tem- 

 perate climates of Europe, Asia, and America. The bark of Cornus 

 jtorida and sericea is used in America as a tonic and febrifuge. The 

 fruit of Cornus mascukt has been used as food, and the seeds of Cornus 

 sanguinea furnish oil. The fruit of Cornus suecica, a species found on 

 the Scotch mountains, is reputed tonic. Aucuba japonica has leaves 

 which exhibit a variegated aspect. Lindley gives 9 genera, and 40 

 species. Examples Cornus, Aucuba. 



Subclass III. COROLLIFLOR.E. 



897. Calyx and corolla present; petals united, bearing the stamens. 

 This subclass includes the Monopetalous orders of Jussieu, and the 

 Gamopetalse of Endlicher. De Candolle restricted this subclass to those 

 orders in which the corolla was hypogynous, placing the other orders 

 \\ith united petals in the subclass Calyciflorse. 



898. Order 100. Loranthacece, the Misletoe Family. (Jfonopet. 

 Epiffyn.) Calyx arising from a tube, or rim, which some regard as an 

 expansion of the pedicel, often bracteated. Petals (or according to 

 others, sepals) 4-8, distinct, or more or less united ; aestivation valvate. 

 Stamens equal in number to the petals, and opposite to them; filaments 

 more or less united to the petals; anthers 1-2- or many-celled 

 (^[ 405). Ovary unilocular, adherent to 'the calycine tube or the 

 expanded pedicel ; ovules with a naked nucleus, erect or suspended ; 

 style filiform or ; stigma simple. Fruit succulent, crowned by the 

 calyx, 1-celled. Seed solitary, pendulous ; embryo straight, in the 

 axis of fleshy albumen; cotyledons either minute or numerous; radicle 

 superior. Shrubs, usually parasitical, with opposite or alternate, fleshy, 

 exstipulate leaves. Many of the plants have showy flowers, which 

 hang from the trunks and branches of trees in the equinoctial parts of 

 Asia and America. Some occur in temperate regions. Lindley gives 

 23 genera, and 412 species. Examples Loranthus, Viscum, Myzo- 

 dendron. 



899. Disputes have taken place as to the structure of the flowers in 

 this order, some considering the petals as being in reality sepals, and 

 regarding the calycine rim as being an expansion of the pedicel only. 

 The wood of some of the plants is arranged in separate wedges, and 

 their vessels are either annular or scalariform. The fruit contains a 

 viscid matter, like bird-lime, by means of which the seeds adhere to 

 trees. The seeds in germinating send their radicles into the plant to 



