THALAMIFLOE^J. 243 



by Lindley, but differing from most of the Rutales in their pendulous 

 ovules with dorsal raphe. In some respects they approach PhytolaccfB 

 and Tropceolete. These plants have dangerous properties. Of C. myrtifolia 

 the leaves, which are sometimes used to adulterate Senna, are said to pro- 

 duce tetanus ; the berries are poisonous. The fruits of other species are 

 said to be edible, but the seeds poisonous. C. myrtifolia and ruscifolia 

 are used in dyeing, infusion of the leaves giving a dark blue with sulphate 

 of iron. 



PITTOSPO RACEME are trees or shrubs, often climbing plants, with 

 alternate exstipulate leaves ; flowers regular j calyx and corolla 4-5-merous, 

 imbricated, deciduous j stamens 5, hypogynous, alternate with the petals, 

 opening longitudinally or by apical pores ; ovary free, 2-celled and some- 

 times with 2-3 imperfect cells ; style single, stigmas equal to the pla- 

 centas ; ovules horizontal or ascending, anatropous ; seeds numerous ; 

 embryo minute, in fleshy perisperm. Illustrative Genera : Pittosporum, 

 Soland. ; Sollya, Lindl. ; Euiarmera, Smith. 



Affinities, &c. A small Order, placed by DeCandolle between Polyga- 

 lacese and Frankeniacere, by A. Richard near Rutacese, by Endlicher in 

 the neighbourhood of Rhamnacese. Lindley regards them as near Vitaceae. 

 From Tremandracese and Olacacese they differ in their imbricate sepals 

 and petals and their numerous ovules. In other points they resemble 

 Celastrineae, but they have no disk and no aril. Decaisne points out an 

 affinity with some Ericads, as Ledum. The plants are chiefly from Aus- 

 tralia ; the berries of Billardiera are eaten, having a pleasant acid flavour ; 

 but a resinous quality pervades the whole Order. Some of the species 

 are cultivated on account of their flowers and coloured berries, as Sollya, 

 Billardiera, &c. 



VITACEAE. VINES. 

 Series Disciflorse ; Coh. Celastrales, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Shrubs with a watery juice, usually climbing by tendrils, 

 placed opposite the leaves, with small regular flowers, a minute truncated 

 calyx with the limb mostly obsolete ; stamens as many as the valvate 

 petals, and superposed to them, springing from a disk surrounding the 

 ovary. Fruit succulent ; seeds bony j perisperm hard. Illustrative Genera : 

 Vitis, L. j Pterisanthes, Blum. 



Affinities, &c. The relations of this Order, sometimes called Ampelidese, 

 are somewhat complex ; a portion of the plants are related to Meliacese, 

 CelastrineaB, and Rhamnacese ; but the nearest connexion would appear 

 to be to the epigynous Order Araliaceae, especially through the Ivy, 

 Hedera. The characters of the group, however, are very distinct, in the 

 hypogynous stamens superposed to the petals, and the climbing habit. 

 The superposition of the stamens to the petals is due to the abortion of 

 five antisepalous stamens, which are sometimes represented by five glands 

 of the disk. The tendrils by which the stems climb are flower-branches, 

 often exhibiting a few nodules representing abortive flowers. They are 

 extraaxillary, and are considered by some to be terminal buds deflexed, 

 by others as formed by a partition of the growing point, one division 



