LAURACE^E. 



483 



(fig. 697 e) ; cotyledons large, plano-convex, peltate near the base ; 

 radicle very short, superior; plumule conspicuous. Trees, with 



exstipulate, alternate, rarely opposite leaves ; sometimes twining, para- 

 sitic, and leafless herbs or Tindershrubs. They are natives chiefly of 

 the tropical regions of Asia and America. Few are found in Africa. 

 The order has been divided into two suborders: 1. Laurese, true 

 Laurels, trees with leaves. 2. Cassythea?, Dodder-laurels, climbing 

 parasitic plants without leaves. There are 47 known genera, and 

 459 species. Examples Laurus, Cinnamomum, Persea, Nectandra, 

 Tetranthera, Cassytha. 



994. The plants of this order are in general aromatic and fragrant. 

 Many of them yield volatile and fixed oils, others furnish camphor, 

 and others have bitter and tonic barks. Some supply useful timber. 

 Laurus nobilis is the Victor's-laurel, the leaves of which were used to 

 crown the conquerors in battle, and in the Olympic games. It is pro- 

 Figs. 691-697. Organs of fructification of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Laurus Cinnamomum), 

 to illustrate the natural order Lauracese. 



Fig. 691. Flower entire, with 6-divided perianth. 



Fig. 692. Diagram of the flower, with six imbricate divisions of the perianth ; stamens in two 

 rows, the outer six introrse, the inner three extrorse; glandular disk, and unilocular ovary. 



Fig. 693 The flower cut vertically, c, The perianth, e f. Fertile outer stamens with valvu- 

 lar introrse dehiscence. e s, Sterile inner stamens with glandular bodies, o, Monothecal ovary 

 with pendulous ovule. s, Style, and obtuse stigma. 



Fig. 694. Stamen separated. /, Filament, with two glandular bodies, g g, at its base, a, An- 

 ther with valves. 



Fig. 695. Anther viewed separately, showing its mode of dehiscence from below upwards by 

 four longitudinal valves. 



Fig. 696. Fruit, which is succulent and partially enclosed in the persistent perianth. 



Fig. 697. The fruit deprived of the perianth, and cut vertically, p, Pericarp, t, Integument 

 of the seed, e, Embryo. 



