CALYCIFLOE^:. 245 



class which includes the Rutaceae, in accordance with the structure of the 

 majority. Bentham and Hooker, apparently with a view to remove some 

 of these anomalies, have proposed a subclass or series which they call 

 Disciflorse, the most important character of which consists in the presence 

 of a large disk or expansion of the receptacle attached to the calyx or to 

 the ovary, and from which the petals and stamens spring ; it thus includes 

 some Thalamifloral and some Calycifloral Orders (including the Orders 

 comprised in the cohorts Geraniales, Olacales, Celastrales, and Sapindales). 

 The separation of the Perigynous from the Epigynous Orders is rendered 

 impracticable by the occurrence of the two conditions in one Order, as in 

 Rosaceae. United petals occur in some exceptional cases, as in Cucurbi- 

 taceae. 



CELASTRACE^E. THE SPINDLE-TEEE OEDEE. 

 Series Disciflorae j Coh. Celastrales, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Shrubs with simple, mostly alternate leaves, and with small 

 deciduous stipules ; small regular flowers, the 4-5 sepals and petals im- 

 bricated in aestivation ; stamens as many as the petals and alternate with 

 them, inserted on a disk tilling up the bottom of the calyx ; seeds mostly 

 arillate, perispermic. Illustrative Genera : Euonymus, Tournef. ; Celastrus, 

 Kunth ; Catha, Forsk. ; Elceodendron, Jacq. 



Affinities, &c. Related to Rhamnaceae, differing in the imbricated calyx 

 and the stamens alternating with the petals. Aquifoliaceae, a sympe- 

 talous Order, is very nearly allied ; but the Celastraceae appear to have 

 closer relations with some Thalamifloral Orders, such as Malpighiaeefe 

 through Hippocrateaceee. The fleshy coat of the seed of Euonymus is 

 described by Planchon as an arillode or false arillus, arising from the 

 margin of the micropyle. 



Distribution. A large Order, the species of which are generally diffused, 

 but more abundant outside the tropics. 



Qualities and Uses. More or less acrid, with oily seeds. Euonymus 

 europaius, the common Spindle-tree of our hedges, is used for gunpowder- 

 charcoal. The inner bark of E. tingens is usod in dyeing ; the seeds of 

 E. europaius are said to be purgative and emetic. The bark of Celastrus 

 scandens has the same properties. Catha edulis has stimulant properties, 

 and the leaves are largely used by the Arabs under the name of Kat. The 

 drupaceous fruits of Elac,odendron Kubu are eaten at the Cape of Good 

 Hope. 



STACKHOUSIACE^E constitute a small Order of Australian plants inter- 

 mediate between Celastraceae and Euphorbiaceae ; their corolla is sym- 

 petalous. 



HIPPOCRATEACE^:, which have hypogynous petals and more or less 

 epigynous stamens, are most nearly related to Celastraceae (with which, 

 indeed, they are combined by Bentham and Hooker), connecting them 

 with Malpighiaceae, Aceraceae, and through Staphylea with Sapindaceas, 

 &c. They are chiefly South-American trees or climbing shrubs, some 

 with edible fruit. 



