576 RHAMNALES. [PfiRiGtMOUS Exogens. 



Alliance XLIV. RHAMNALES.— The Rhamxal Alliance. 



Diagnosis.— Perigynous Exogens, with monodichlamydeous flowers, consolidated carpels, 

 axile placenta, capsular, berried, or drupaceous fruit, definite seeds, and an amygda- 

 loid embryo, with little or no albumen. 



It has already been stated that the only positive distinction between this Alliance 

 and Daphnals consists in the compound ovary of Rhamnals. This may seem a trifling 

 difference and quite artificial. But in reality it is connected with a higher evolution ot 

 all the parts, as is indicated by the general presence of a corolla, which even becomes 

 monopetalous, and by its considerable development in many instances. Even in bar- 

 cocollads, where the corolla is missing, the calyx acquires quite a petaloid condition. 



Storaxworts pass directly into Ebenads, with which the next Alliance commences. 

 In general the smallness of the embryo and the largeness of the albumen m the latter, 

 completely divide them from Rhamnals ; but some Ebenads have quite an intermediate 

 structure, and are not very easy to distinguish from Storaxworts. 



Natural Orders of Rhamnals. 



Flowers apetalous. Ovary composed of 4 carpels. Calyx tubu-~\ 2l9 _ p ENiEACE ^ 



lar, with definite divisions. Cotyledons rudimentary ... J 

 Flowers apetalous. Ovary composed of 2 carpels. Calyx tubu- "1 



lar, with a definite number of divisions. Cotyledons amyg- j- 220. Aquilariace^;. 



daloid J 



Flowers apetalous. Ovary composed of 2 carpels. Calyx im- "j 



perfect, and irregidarly divided at the edge. Cotyledons thin i- 221. Ulmace*:. 



and leafy J 



Flowers polypetcdous . Calyx valvate. Stamens opposite petals. \ ^no] Rhamnace.e. 



Seeds erect J 



Flowers polypetalous Calyx valvate. Stamens alternate with \o-23. Chailletiace^:. 



petals. Seeds piendulous J 



Floivers polypetalous. Calyx imbricated. Stamens (3) mon«-| 2 . 24> Hippocrateace.e. 



delphous J 



Flowers polypetalous. Calyx imbricated. Stamens (^/) distinct 225. Celastrace^e. 



Flowers monopetalous. Stamens episcpalous 226. Stackhousiace*;. 



Flowers monopetalous. Stamens epipctalous. Ovules ascending. 1 227. Sapotace^e. 



Radicle short. Cotyledons amygdaloid J " 



Flowers monopetalous. Stamens epipctalous. Ovules, in parties Styracace*:. 

 at least, suspended. Radicle long. Cotyledons leafy . . .} 



