CALYCIFLORJE. 271 



ceee, which it resembles in habit, and has a further affinity in the struc- 

 ture of the ovary, the most marked difference being the hermaphrodite 

 flower, superior position of ovary, and the presence of perisperm in Passion- 

 flowers. The coronet or wreath of tilif'orm organs between the petals and 

 the stamens, and the gynandrophore bearing the stamens and ovary, mark 

 this Order out very clearly, and ordinarily its flowers are perfect ; but the 

 genus Tetrapathcea appears to connect it by a further link with Cucur- 

 bitaceaa, since the flowers are there polygamous or even dioecious. It is 

 closely allied to Samydaceae, in which, however, there is no corona. 

 From Turnerads it differs in the gynandrophore, and marcescent not 

 deciduous petals. The relations to Capparidaceae, Bixaceae, and ViolaceaB 

 are also well marked, and indeed its affinity to the latter Order is much 

 closer than to the Cucurbits, with which it is usually associated ; the 

 floral formula is the same. The corona of Passion-flowers is an out- 

 growth from the flower-tube at the base of the petals. 



Distribution. Species numerous, mostly tropical or subtropical; the 

 greater part are South-American and West-Indian ; a few occur in North 

 America, Africa, the East Indies, and Australia. 



Qualities and Uses. The pulpy fruits of many species of Passiflora 

 (Granadillas), several Tacsoniee, and of Paropsia edulis are eaten ; but 

 astringent properties exist in the leaves, while the roots of Passiflora 

 quadranyularis and the flowers of P. rubra are narcotics. The beauty of 

 the flowers and foliage renders this Order a very favourite one in cultiva- 

 tion. 



MALESHERBIACEJE consist of a few unimportant herbs or low shrubs, 

 natives of Chili and Peru, resembling Passifloraceae in the structure of the 

 flowers ; but the coronet is merely a membranous ring, the styles arise 

 from the backs of the carpels, and the seeds are not arillate. Included 

 as a tribe of the preceding Order by Bentham and Hooker. 



TURKERACEJE. Herbs or half shrubby plants, natives of the West 

 Indies and South America, with 5-merous flowers, deciduous contorted 

 petals with no corona, and a 1-celled superior ovary with 3 parietal 

 placentas ; seeds perisperniic, with a strophioie or false aril. They appear 

 to form a link, through Malesherbiaceae, from the Passifloraceae &c. to 

 parietal Thalamifloral Orders, such as Cistaceae. They have tonic and 

 aromatic properties. Genera : Turnera, Plum. ; Piriqueta, Aubl. 



SAMYDACE^E form a tropical Order, chiefly of American plants, of 

 somewhat doubtful place : apparently they stand nearest to Bixaceae and 

 the Thalamiflorse with parietal placentas ; however, they are apetalous, 

 and the stamens are perigynous, which relate them to a different set of 

 Orders. One of their most striking peculiarities is the presence of both 

 round and linear pellucid glands in the leaves. The bark and leaves of 

 the plants are astringent, and those of species of Casearia are used in 

 Brazil as febrifuge medicines. 



CUCUEBITACE^E. THE CUCUMBER ORDEE. 



Coh. Passiflorales, Benth. et Hook. 

 Diagnosis. Herbaceous plants, mostly succulent, prostrate or 



