RANALES. 



5G1 



Asimina triloba, the Papaw of the Southern United States, and ex- 

 tending to the Great Lakes, is a small tree producing edible pulpy 

 fruits six to ten centimetres long. Several other smaller species of the 

 same genus are common in the South. (Figs. 559-564.) 



Anona reticulata, the Custard Apple, A. C/ierimolia, the Cherimoya, 

 A. squamosa, Sweet Sop, and A. muricata, Sour Sop, all cultivated in 

 the West Indies and tropical America, produce edible fruits ; the first is 

 regarded by some people as one of tbe finest fruits in the whole world. 



Xylopia aromatica is a tree of western tropical Africa, whose dry 

 carpels are aromatic, and used as pepper under the name of Guinea 

 Pepper. The ancients used this pepper (" Piper JEthiopicum ") long 

 before the introduction of Black Pepper. 



Fios. 565-7. ILLUSTRATIONS OF MAGNOLIA PURPUKEA. 



FIG. 566. FIG. 565. FIG. 567. 



Fig. 565. Flower cut vertically. Fig. 566. Flower diagram. 



Fig. 567. Section of seed. Magnified. 



Duguetia quitarensis, a small tree of Guiana, supplies a tough elastic 

 Trood known as Lancewood. 



Order Utagnoliaceae. The Magnolia Family. Trees and shrubs 

 with alternate simple leaves ; flowers mostly monoclinous ; petals and 

 stamens indefinite ; carpels usually indefinite. Species seventy, mostly 

 of the tropical and sub-tropical parts of Asia and America. (Figs.' 

 566-7.) 



The genus Magnolia contains many beautiful trees, seven of which 

 are natives of the Southern United States. Of these M. acuminata.tbe 

 Cucumber Tree, extends north to the Great Lakes, aud sometimes at- 



