Classification of Plants 287 



tips of the sepals (except Brabeium). Ovary superior, i-celled; style 

 long. Fruit an achene in South African species. 



Four small glands at the base of the ovary in some genera secrete 

 honey which is sought by birds and beetles. The flowers are pro- 

 tandrous. 



Of the 960 species there are, according to Engler, 591 

 Australian, Eastern Asia 25, New Caledonia 27, New Zealand 

 2, Chili 7, Tropical South America 36, South- Western South 

 Africa 300, Mountains of Tropical Africa 5, Madagascar 2, 

 the greater number living in regions with long dry seasons. 



The distribution recalls that of Restiacetz and serves to con- 

 firm the evidence of a former land connexion between these 

 distant countries. 



The order is divided into two groups : 



I. Persoonioideae. Flowers single in the axils of bracts ; 

 ovules seldom few or two. Drupe or nut i -seeded. 



II. Grevilloideae. Flowers in pairs ; ovules several or two ; 

 fruit usually dehiscent. 



South African representatives are found in the first group. 

 Hakea and Grevillea are familiar representatives of Australian 

 types which have been introduced belonging to Grevilloidece. 



KEY TO y.A. GENERA. 



A. Flowers imperfect. 



Staminate flowers in racemes . . AULAX. 

 Staminate flowers in heads . . LEUCADENDRON. 



AA. Flowers perfect. 



Flowers many in a head. 



Calyx irregular, 2-lipped, 3-sepals or 



all, cohering. 

 Bracts showy, surrounding the head. 



Fruit bearded, tailed by the style . PROTEA. 

 Bracts not showy, subtending each 

 flower. 



Fruit neither bearded nor tailed LEUCOSPERMUM. 

 Calyx regular, 4-parted. 

 Heads lateral. 



Achene not on a stalk ; leaves flat. MIMETES. 

 Heads terminal. 



Achene on a short stalk ; leaves pin- 

 nate parted, needle-shaped, rarely 

 entire . . . SERRURIA. 



