ffo#.] MYRTACEiE. 1*21 



Stamens numerous. Ovary 3- or 4 -celled, with several ovules in each cell, 

 inserted in 2 rows on axile placentas. Ovary globular, crowned by the calyx - 

 lobes. Seeds several, horizontal, flattened. Embryo curved, with a long 

 radicle, and semicylindrical cotyledons. 

 The genus is limited to the following species. 



1. R. tomentosa, DC. Prod. iii. 240 ; Wight, Ic. tf. 522 (as a section 

 o/'Myrtus). A shrub of 4 or 5 feet, the branches, the under side of the leaves, 

 the peduncles, and calyx hoary with a very short soft tomentum. Leaves 

 oval-elliptical, obtuse, 1|- to 3 in. long, with 3 or rarely 5 ribs, starting from 

 near the base as in Melastomacece, on short petioles. Peduncles axillary, 

 shorter than the leaves, bearing 1 or 3 rather large pink flowers. Calyx to- 

 mentose, with 2 small bracts at the base. Petals | to f in. diameter, tomen- 

 tose outside. 



Abundant on the hills, Champion and others. Widely spread over southern India, in 

 Ceylon, Penang, and the Indian Archipelago, and northwards to China and Japan. In some 

 of the stations, however, given by collectors, it is only cultivated or escaped from culti- 

 vation. 



Order XLIII. SAMYDACE^J. 



Sepals free or united at the base into a 4- or 5-lobed (rarely 2-, or 3-, or 

 6-, or more lobed) calyx, free from the ovary, or more or less adherent. Petals 

 either as many as the sepals or calyx-lobes, inserted at their base, persistent 

 with them, and resembling them in consistence, or wanting. Stamens perigy- 

 nous, indefinite, or not corresponding in number with the petals, or if equal 

 to them, then usually opposite them, with glands or small scales alternating 

 with them. Ovary superior or more or less inferior, 1 -celled, with 2 or more 

 parietal placentas, and several ovules to each placenta. Style entire, or more 

 or less divided into as many branches as placentas. Fruit indehiscent or open- 

 ing in valves between the placentas. Seeds often arillate. Albumen fleshy. 

 Embryo straight or nearly so, with the radicle next the hilum, and flat coty- 

 ledons. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, undivided, usually toothed. Sti- 

 pules small or none. Mowers hermaphrodite or rarely dioecious. 



A considerable Order, if taken with the limits above given, and widely distributed over 

 the New and the Old World, chiefly within the tropics. The two following genera belong 

 to two of those tribes into which it may be divided, and which are considered by some as 

 distinct Orders, viz. Caseariece, or Samydece proper, without petals, the stamens in a single 

 series ; and Homalinece, with sepal-like petals, the stamens inserted singly or in clusters, op- 

 posite the petals. 

 Petals none. Stamens in a single row, alternating with short ciliate 



scales. Ovary superior 1. Case aria. 



Petals as many as sepals. Stamens opposite them. Ovary inferior . . 2. Homalium. 



1. CASE ARIA, Linn., Jacq. 



Calyx-lobes 4 to 5. Petals none. Stamens 6 to 15, alternating with as 

 many short ciliate or hairy scales, all in a single series and united in a peri- 

 gynous ring at the base. Ovary superior, 1 -celled, with 3 or rarely 4 parietal 

 placentas. Style entire or shortly 3-lobed. Fruit somewhat succulent, open- 

 ing in valves, or more fleshy and indehiscent. Seeds often with an arillus. 



