LAURINE.E. MYRISTICE.E. 203 



40. 



Perianth single, 4-6-cleft, sometimes obsolete, imbri- 

 cate in sestivation. Stamens definite, perigynous, in two 

 series, the three inner stamens opposite the segments of 

 the perianth barren or abortive, the six outer ones not so ; 

 anthers adnate, 2-4-celled, with a valvate dehiscence, 

 inner filaments, with glands at their base. Ovarium sin- 

 gle, superior, with a solitary pendulous ovule. Fruit 

 baccate, or drupaceous. Seed exalbuminous, with an 

 inverted embryo ; cotyledons thick, fleshy, and peltate 

 near the base. 



Trees or shrubs often of a large size, with simple ex- 

 stipulate alternate leaves. 



Geographical Relations. Tropical plants, few extend- 

 ing to the temperate regions. 



Properties. Stimulating and aromatic. 



Officinal Plants. 



Laurus cinnamomum. 



camphora. 



nobilis. 



sassafras. 



41. MYRISTICE.E. 



Flowers dioecious. Perianth single, 3-cleft, valvate in 

 aestivation. 



MALE FLOWERS. Stamens 3-12, sub-perigynous ; 

 anthers 2 -celled, turned outwards and dehiscing longi- 

 tudinally. 



FEMALE FLOWERS. Perianth deciduous. Ovarium 

 single, superior, with a solitary erect ovule ; stigma 



