BURSERACE^E. 181 



sent, equal in number to the divisions of the calyx, and 

 imbricate in aestivation. Stamens equal in number to 

 and alternate with the petals, sometimes alternately 

 shorter than the others, sometimes altogether wanting. 

 Disk generally present and expanded. Ovarium almost 

 always superior and single, occasionally 5 or 6 ; styles 

 1-4, sometimes wanting; ovule solitary, attached by 

 its funiculus to the bottom of the cell. Fruit indehis- 

 cent and drupaceous. Seed exalbuminous. Embryo 

 curved, with its radicle towards the hilum, cotyledons 

 foliaceous or fleshy. 



Trees or shrubs with exstipulate dotted alternate 

 leaves; inflorescence either terminal or axillary, with 

 bractese. 



Geographical Relations. Chiefly to be found within 

 the tropics, but a few members extend to within the 

 temperate latitudes. 



Properties. They abound with resinous or gummy 

 juices, which are occasionally caustic and very poi- 

 sonous. 



Officinal Plants. 



Pistacia terebinthus. 

 Pistacia lentiscus. 

 Rhus toxicodendron. 



19. BURSERACE2E. 



" Differ from Anacardiaceae (to which they are closely 

 allied) in their compound ovarium and pinnated leaves, 

 and also in the very general valvate aestivation of the 

 calyx." (Lindley.) 



Geographical R elation. Tropics . 

 R 



