CALYCIFLOim 247 



inferior), 1 -celled ; style 1, or 8 or 4, sometimes none ; stigmas twice as 

 many ; ovules solitary, on a long funiculus. Fruit indehiscent, commonly 

 drupaceous ; seed without perisperm. Illustrative Genera : Tribe 1. ANA- 

 CARDIEJE. Ovary 1-celled. Rhus, L. ; Melanorrhea, Wall. ; Schinus, L.; 

 Semecarpus,~L. "Tribe 2. SPONDIEJE. Ovary 2 5-celled. Spondias^. 



Affinities, &c. The prominent differential characters of this order reside 

 in the solitary ovule, with ventral raplie and inferior micropyle, or dorsal 

 raphe if the micropyle be superior. This Order is related to the Xantho- 

 xylaceae in many respects, but differs in the structure of the ovary and 

 seed. From the Burseracew also it is divided by the same characters, 

 although Spondias connects them as regards the fruit ; while the same 

 peculiarities relate it on the other hand to certain Connaracese, Rosaceee, 

 and Leguminosae. 



Distribution. A large Order, the species of which are chiefly tropical, 

 diminishing rapidly beyond the tropics. 



Qualities and Uses. The resinous juice of these plants is acrid, or 

 violently irritating and poisonous 5 it often becomes black in drying. 

 Some kinds, however, yield edible, and even valuable fruits. Anacardium 

 occidentals, the Cashew-nut, is remarkable for the curious fleshy enlarge- 

 ment of the peduncle supporting the nut ; this peduncle is edible, as is 

 also the seed when roasted ; but the pericarp contains acrid volatile oil. 

 A gum-resinous juice exudes from the wood, called Gomme d' Acajou, 

 which is used when fresh as a varnish. Semecarpus Anacardium, the 

 Marking-nut, Melanorrhea usitatissima, Staff maria verniciflua, Rhus vernix, 

 &c. are among the plants furnishing varnishes used in the East Indies, 

 China, and Japan for lacquered ware ; their juices are white at first, and 

 become black after exposure to the air. Mastic is obtained from Pistacia 

 atlantica and P. Lentiscus, Scio turpentine from P. Terebinthus ; the fruit 

 of Pistacia vera is the Pistachio-nut, highly valued in Eastern cookery. 

 Mangifera indica, with numerous varieties, yields the well-known tropical 

 drupe called the Mango. The Sumachs, species of Rhus, are acrid and 

 poisonous, affecting some constitutions more than others, and sometimes 

 producing violent erysipelas when applied to the skin. R. Toxicodendron 

 is the Poison-Oak of North America; R. venenata, the Poison-Elder or 

 Poison-Sumach. R. typhina, ylabra, and Coriaria have acid fruit and 

 astringent bark, used in tanning ; JR. Cotinus (which is sometimes grown 

 in our shrubberies under the name of the Wig- plant, from the hair-like 

 nature of the sterile flower-stalks) yields the dye-wood called Young 

 Fustic ; R. Metopium, the Hog-gum of Jamaica, a powerful purgative and 

 emetic. Spondias purpurea and S. Mombin yield succulent fruits eaten in 

 Brazil and the W. Indies under the name of Hog-plums ; S. Cytherea or 

 didcis affords a delicious fruit in the Society Islands. 



SABIACEJE are a small Order of East-Indian plants, removed by recent 

 authors from Anacardiaceae, where they were formerly placed as ano- 

 malous forms. They are remarkable for the superposition of the parts of 

 the flower. 



CONNARACE^E form, an Order of tropical trees and shrubs, usually 

 placed near Anacardiaceae, but destitute of resinous juice, and with ortho- 

 tropous ovules ; the fruits are apocarpous and follicular. They are also 

 allied to the Xanthoxylacese. The seeds sometimes have an aril ; those 



