THE MOXOPETALOUS ORDERS. 439 



The berries are generally edible (Whortleberries, Wintergreen, 

 &c.). Many are very ornamental plants. 



823. Ord, Epacridacese, which takes the place of Heaths in Aus- 

 tralia, essentially differs from them only in the one-celled anthers. 



824. Ord, Aqilifoliaeeae (the Holly Family). Trees or shrubs, 

 commonly with coriaceous leaves, and small axillary flowers. Ca- 

 lyx of four to six sepals. Corolla four- to six-parted or cleft : the 

 stamens as many as its segments and alternate with them, inserted 

 on the base of the corolla. Anthers opening longitudinally. Ovary 

 two- to six-celled ; the cells with a single suspended ovule. Fruit 

 drupaceous, with two to six stones or nucules. Embryo minute, 

 in hard albumen. Ex. Bex (the Holly) and Prinos. The bark 

 and leaves contain a tonic, bitter, extractive matter. The leaves 

 of a species of Ilex are used for tea in Paraguay : and the famous 

 Hack drink of the Creek Indians is prepared from the leaves of 

 Ilex vomitoria (Cassena) ; which are still used as a substitute for 

 tea in some parts of the Southern States. 



825. Ord, Ebenaeeae (the Ebony Family). Trees or shrubs, des- 

 titute of milky juice, with alternate, mostly entire leaves, and 

 polygamous flowers. Calyx three- to six-cleft, free from the ova- 

 ry. Corolla three- to six-cleft, often pubescent Stamens twice 

 to four times as many as the lobes of the corolla, inserted on 

 them. Ovary three- to several-celled ; the style with as many 

 divisions. Fruit a kind of berry, with large and bony seeds. 



sir sis an 



816 8!9 



Embryo shorter than the hard albumen. Ex. Diospyros, the 



FIG. S16. Perfect flowrer of Diospjros Vireiniana. the Persimmon. 617. The corolla, laid 

 open, and stamens. 813. The fruit. 519. Section through the fruit and bony seeds. 820. Ver- 

 tical section of a seed. 821. The detached embryo. 



