LA URALES. 



493 



fabrics, cordage, etc. Layetta lintearia, of Jamaica, is the Lace-Bark 

 Tree, so called on account of its delicate inner bark. 



578. Cohort X. Laurales. Herbs, shrubs, and trees, 

 with mostly diclinous flowers ; ovary superior, one-celled, 

 the single seed sometimes with, and sometimes without 

 endosperm. % 



Order Lauraceae. The Laurel Family. Aromatic trees and shrubs 

 FIGS. 403-5. ILLUSTRATIONS OF MTRISTICA FRAGRANS. 



FIG. 403. 



FIG. 405. 



Fig. 403. Frnit, showing seed and aril. Fiz. 404. Seed and aril. 

 Fig. 405. Seed cut vertically, showing embryo" below. 



(rarely parasitic herbs) with free stamens, and a pendulous seed with- 

 out endosperm. About 1000 species are known, occurring in the trop-' 

 ical and temperate climates of both hemispheres. 



Lauras nobilis, the Bay or Laurel of Southern Europe, is a fine 

 spreadi ng-topped evergreen tree, twelve to fifteen metres (40 to 50 ft.) 

 high. In ancient times its leaves were used to crown heroes, but now 



