506 BOTANY. 



juice, and mostly diclinous flowers. About 250 species are known in 

 this order, the greater part occurring within the tropics. 



Diospyros reticulata, a large tree of the island of Mauritius, produces 

 the best of the timber known as Ebony. Ebony is, also derived from 

 D, Ebenum and I), melanoxylon of Ceylon, and D. Ebenastcr of the 

 Calcutta region. 



D. Idrsuta, of Ceylon, produces the beautiful " Calamander Wood," 

 which is variegated with brown and yellow stripes. 



D. Kaki, a Chinese and Japanese tree, bears plum-like fruits which 

 are delicious. In our markets they are known as Chinese Dates. 



D. Virginiana, the Persimmon of the Southern United States, pro- 

 duces fruits similar to the last, but astringent and inedible until after 

 being frosted. Doubtless under culture this fruit might be made to 

 equal the preceding. 



Order Sapotacese. Plants with a milky juice and monoclinous 

 flowers. A tropical order of about 300 species, a few of which extend 

 into temperate regions. 



Isonandra gutta, a large tree of the Malay Islands and Borneo, is the 

 source of the Gutta Percha of commerce. The milky juice is collected 

 and evaporated, and then constitutes the crude Gutta Percha. 



Chrysophyllum Cainito, the Star Apple, Arclias sapota, the Sapodilla 

 Plum, and Archas mammosa, the Marmalade, are West Indian trees, 

 which bear delicious pulpy fruits. 



Bassia butyracea and B. latifolia, both of India, and B. Parkii, of 

 tropical Africa, are called Butter Trees, on account of the butter-like 

 fatty substance obtained from their seeds by pressure. 



We have eight species within the United States, tound mostly along 

 our Southern coast. Two species of Bumelia reach the Ohio River. 



585. Cohort XVII. Primulales. Plants with mostly 

 alternate leaves, regular flowers, and superior one-celled 

 ovaries ; stamens generally opposite to the corolla lobes. 



Order Myrsinacese. Trees or shrubs, mostly of the tropics. Three 

 or four species barely reach the southern part of Florida. 



Order Primulacese. The Primrose Family. Herbs mostly with 

 radical leaves ; placenta central, free and globose; ovules many, fixed 

 by their ventral face. Species 250, mostly of the North Temperate 

 Zone. (Figs. 433-5.) 



The order is chiefly valuable for its ornamental plants. 



Primula tulgaris, the Primrose, and P. veris, the Cowslip, are com- 

 mon English plants, often referred to in poetry. 



P. Sinensis, the Chinese Primrose, and P. Auricula, the Auricula 

 from Southern Europe, are common in gardens and green-houses. 



Cyclamen, Dodecatheon, and LysimacMa contain fine ornamental 

 species. 



