736 MYRTACE^E. [Epigynous Exogens. 



the otbw, in consequence of the contraction of the tube of the calyx, from which they 

 arise. Now, there are many instances of a similar anomaly among genera of the same 

 Order, and they exist even among species of the same genus. Examples of the latter 

 are, Nicotiana multivalvis and Nolana paradoxa, and of the former Malope among 

 Malvaceae, polycarpous Crowfoots as compared with Nigella, and polycarpous Rose- 

 worts as compared with Spirtea. In Prunus I have seen a monstrous flower pro- 

 ducing a number of carpels around the central one, and also, in consequence of the 

 situation, upon the calyx above it ; and finally, in the Revue Encyclopedique (43. 762), a 

 permanent variety of the Apple is described, which is exactly to Appleworts what Punica 

 is to Myrtleblooms. This plant has regularly 14 styles and 14 cells, arranged in two hori- 

 zontal parallel planes, namely, 5 in the middle, and 9 on the outside, smaller and nearer 

 the top ; a circumstance which is evidently to be explained by the presence of an outer 

 series of carpels. Dr. Wight proposes a modification of these views {Illustrations of 

 Indian Botany, ii. 5), but I do not see in what respect his opinion materially differs 

 from mine. The anomaly of the structure of the fruit of Punica being thus explained, 

 nothing remains to distinguish it from Myrtleblooms but its leaves without a marginal 

 vein, its convolute cotyledons, and pulpy seeds. There are, however, distinct traces of dots 

 in the leaves, and the union of the venae arcuafce, which gives the appearance of a 

 marginal vein to Myrtleblooms, takes place, although less regularly, in Punica ; the 

 convolute cotyledons of Punica are only in Myrtleblooms what those of Chamaemeles 

 are in Appleworts, a curious but unimportant exception to the general structure ; and 

 the solitary character of the pulpy coat of the seeds will hardly be deemed by itself 

 sufficient to characterise Granateae. The place of Punica in the Order will be probably 

 near Sonneratia. 



There is no instance of a blue flower in this Order. The fruit varies from succulent 

 to dry in different genera, and in some cases is nearly superior. According to Auguste 

 de St. Hilaire, a passage is formed from Myrtleblooms to Onagrads through the genus 

 Felicianea. 



Natives of hot countries both within and without the tropics ; great numbers are 

 found in South America and the East Indies, not many in Africa, and a considerable 

 proportion of the Order in New Holland and the South Sea Islands ; but the genera of 

 those countries are mostly peculiar to them. Myrtus communis, the most northern 

 species of the Order, is a native of (Persia, but has become naturalised in) the south of 

 Europe. Metrosideros lucida, a beautiful tree of this Order, occurs as far to the south 

 as Lord Auckland's Islands, in lat. 50i S. — /. Hooker. 



De Candolle remarks, that although they all, without exception, have a woody texture, 

 yet that they vary prodigiously in stature, from the little Myrtus nummularia which 

 spreads over the soil in the Falkland Islands, as Thyme does in Europe, to the immense 

 Gum-trees (Eucalypti) of New Holland, which are among the most gigantic trees of 

 Australasia. There are all sorts of intermediate sizes, but the common Myrtle-bush 

 gives a tolerably good idea of the appearance of the majority. Mr. Backhouse speaks 

 of some of the Gum-trees as rising to about 200 feet in height, with straight trunks 

 clear of branches for from 100 to 150 feet, and resembling an assemblage of elegant 

 columns, so irregularly placed as to intercept the view at the distance of a few hundred 

 yards. These are elegantly crowned with branching tops of light willow-like foliage. 

 Some of what are called Stringy bark Gum-trees, "rise nearly as high as the Monu- 

 ment without branching ! " The Aki, a New Zealand plant of this Order, the Metro- 

 sideros buxifolia, of Allan Cunningham, is described by that Botanist as being a 

 rambling shrub, adhering to trees, and by its lateral roots climbing to the summit of the 

 loftiest timber in the forests of Wangaroa, Bay of Islands, &c. 



The pellucid dotting of the leaves and other parts indicates the presence of a fragrant 

 aromatic or pungent volatile oil, which gives the principal quality to the produce of the 

 Order. To this are due the grateful perfume of the Guava fruit, the powerful aroma 

 of the flower-buds of Caryophyllus aromaticus, called by the English Cloves, and the 

 balsamic odour of those eastern fruits, the Jamrosade and the Rose Apple. Along with 

 this is frequently mixed an astringent principle, which sometimes predominates, to the 

 suppression of any other property. The Guavas are pulpy fruits inhabiting the western 

 world, whence they have been carried to the eastern ; the principal are Psidium 

 pyriferum and pomiferum, the latter of which is much more acid than the other. They 

 make with sugar a cooling and rather astringent conserve. The berries of other species 

 of Psidium, which grow plentifully on the campos of S. Paulo, and are distinguished by 

 the name of Guabinoba, are used in a similar manner. The young bark and leaves are 

 employed as astringents, and the latter for medicated baths, which are very customary 

 in Brazil ; other species, especially P. Cattleyanum, also bear a fruit of excellent 

 quality. Eugenia cauliflora, the Jabuticaba or Jaboticaburas, is one of the most agree- 

 able fruits hi Brazil, and the taste will be improved by further culture. Very good 



