772 



UMBELLALES. 



[Epigynous Exogens. 



Alliance LV. UMBELLALES. — The Umbellal Alliance. 



Diagnosis. — Epigynous Exogens, with dielilamydeous polypctalous flowers, solitary 

 large seeds, and a small embryo lying in a large quantity of albumen. 



The combination of a polypetalous corolla, an inferior fruit, and solitary seeds chiefly 

 consisting of albumen, constitute the distinctive character of this Alliance, whose 

 Orders can by no means be separated, whatever mode of general distribution a Botanist 

 may employ. In fact, Umbellifers differ from Ivyworts in nothing except their 

 peculiar epigynous disk, and didymous fruit. Ivyworts are hardly distinguishable from 

 Cornels, if we neglect the opposite leaves and tetramerous flowers of the latter; and from 

 "W itch Hazels there is little to separate Cornels, except the valvate corolla and exstipu- 

 late leaves of the latter ; finally, Bruniads rely for their definition more upon their want 

 of stipules, and anthers turned outwards than on anything else. 



If we look to the affinities of this Alliance, we shall again have an instance of a most 

 natural group being so touched at all points of its circumference that it may be almost 

 regarded as a peculiar centre of organisation, from which many other groups diverge. 



Thus, in a direct line, Umbellifers touch Stellates on the one hand, and Ivyworts 

 on the other, as is elsewhere explained. Then in lateral affinity we have Umbellifers 

 closing in upon Crowfoots, and stretching towards Saxifrages, Ivyworts almost invading 

 the territory of Vineworts and Caprifoils, Cornels owing their position as a distinct 

 Order, rather than as a mere group of Garryads or Alangiads ? chiefly to their unisexual 

 dielilamydeous flowers on the one hand, and their valvate corolla on the other. Witch 

 Hazels have, no doubt, a strong relationship to Mastworts (Corylacese) on the one hand, 

 and Hippurids on the other, and finally, the affinity of Bruniads to Myrtleblooms 

 is sufficiently shown in speaking of their Natural Order ; so that the following may be 

 taken as a representation of the way in which the Natural Orders of Umbellate stand 

 with respect to others. 



Galiacem. 



Saxifrapaeea- Apiacese Ranunculaecce. 



Caprifoliacea Araliaceae Vitacece. 



Alangiacecc Cornaceje Garryaeeoe. 



Haloragacece Tlamamelidacete .... Corylaceee. 



Rhamnacccc I>runiaceae Myrtacece. 



Sanlalacece. 



Natural Orders of Umbellals. 



Fruit didymous, with a double epigynous disk 296. Apiacese. 



Fruit not didymous, without a double epigynous dish, 3- or more- ~\ 



celled. Pentamerous flowers. Corollavalvate. Leaves alternate, 1 297. Araliace.e. 



without stipxdes. Anthers turned inwards, opening lengthwise J 

 Fruit not didymous, without a double epigynous disk,2- or more- "1 



celled. Tetramerous flowers. Corollavalvate. Leaves opposite, 1 298. CornacejE. 



without stipules J 



Fruit not didymous, without a double epigynous disk, 2-celled.~\ 



Corolla imbricated. Leaves alternate,with stipules. Anthers 1 299. Hamamelidace*. 

 with deciduous valves J 



Fruit not didymous, without a double epigynous disk, 3- (or 1-) "1 



celled. Corolla imbricated. Leaves alternate, zvithout sti- [■ 300. Bruniace^e. 

 pules. Anthers turned outwards, opening lengthwise . . 



