300 



ATHEROSPERM ACE^E 



L Diclinous Exogens. 



Order C. ATHEROSPERMACEtE.— Plume Nutmegs. 



Atherospermea?, R. Brown in Flinders, 553. (1814) ; Arnolt in Edinb. Encvcl. 130. 

 Diagnosis. — Menispermal Exogens, with anthers opening Ly recurved valves. 



Trees. Leaves opposite, without stipules. Flowers axillary in short racemes, with 

 large deciduous bracts, £ $ (or ). Calyx tubular, divided at the top into several 



segments, usually placed in two rows, 

 the inner of which is partly petaloid ; to 

 these are superadded in the $ flowers 

 some abortive stamens in the form of 

 scales. Stamens in the $ very nume- 

 rous in the bottom of the calyx ; in the 

 $ fewer, and arising from the orifice of 

 the calyx ; anthers adnate, 2-celled, 

 bursting with a valve which separates 

 from the base to the apex ; filaments 

 with a pair of scales at their base. 

 Ovaries several, usually indefinite, each 

 with a single erect ovule ; styles simple, 

 arising either from the side or the base ; 

 stigmas simple. Nuts inclosed in the 

 tube of the calyx, with the adherent 

 styles converted into feathery awns. 

 Seed solitary, erect; embryo minute, 

 erect, at the base of soft fleshy albumen, 

 with divaricating cotyledons ; radicle 

 inferior. 



Although the anthers of this Order 

 are the same as those of Laurels and 

 Berberries, and notwithstanding that 

 it agrees with the former in its aro- 

 matic odour, yet it seems to stand in the 

 nearest relationship to Monimiads, with which it is even combined 

 by Jussieu, Bartling, and Endlicher. It differs, however, in the 

 position of the ovule, and the structure of the anthers, and is pro- 

 bably a nucleus around which other genera will be hereafter col- 

 lected. 



The Australian continent produces two of the genera ; Laurelia 

 belongs to Chile. 



All the species seem to be fragrant. The wood of Doryphora 

 Sassafras, called Sassafras in New Holland, is said to smell like 

 Fennel. The nuts of Laurelia are described as possessing the fra- 

 grance of the Nutmeg. Mr. Backhouse gives the following account 

 of Atherosperma moschata. " This forms a very beautiful tree in 

 many parts of the colony, attaining to a height of 150 feet, and is 

 from 6 to 7 feet in circumference. Its mode of growth resembles 

 many Coniferse, in being conical, and in having all its branches of 

 the same year's growth, radiating from one point on the trunk. 

 A decoction of the bark, either when in its green state or after hav- 

 ing been dried, is used in many remote parts of the colony as a sub- 

 stitute for tea, and, when taken with plenty of milk, has a pleasant 

 taste. Its effects are, however, slightly aperient." 



Fig. CCVII. 



CCVIII. 



Atherosperma, Labill. 

 Laurelia, Juss. 

 Pavonia, Ruiz. 



Numbers 



GENERA. 



Tliipa, Molina. 

 Doryphora, Endl. 



Gen. 3. Sp. 4. 

 Lauracece. 

 Position. — Monimiacece. — ATnEiiosPEUMACE^;. — Myristicaceae. 



Calycanthacem. 



!"u fCVTI. — Atherosperma moschata. 



Fie. CCVIII.— 1. carpel ; 2. stamen of Doryphora Sassafras. — Endlicher. 



