COROLLIFLOE^:. 323 



Affinities, &c. The aperispermic character of the seeds separates this 

 Order from Scrophulariaceee. From Acanthaceae there is less marked dis- 

 tinction j but the winged and sessile seeds, together with the general 

 habit of the inflorescence, mark the difference. Eccremocarpus approaches 

 closely to Gesneraceae ; and these, with Pedaliaceae and Crescentiaceae. 

 are chiefly separated by the want of coherence of the placentas in the 

 axis (the exceptional case here in Eccremocarpus) and the absence of a 

 wing to the seeds. Many Bignoniaceaa are remarkable for the structure 

 of their woody stems, which have the wood divided into segments by 

 broad wedged-shaped processes of the bark; the segments are 4 in young 

 stems, forming a cross in the transverse section ; 8, and even 16 lobes ap- 

 pear in the woody layers of subsequent years. The broad paper-like wing 

 of the seeds of Biynonice has a very elegant microscopic structure. 



Distribution. A considerable family of mostly tropical plants ; the 

 Trunipet-flowered climbers form striking features of American forests. 



Qualities and Uses. Many of the plants of this Order are used in 

 Brazil for various purposes, such as dyes, medicines of varied action, 

 timber, &c. ; but none are of very great importance. Their beautiful 

 flowers, often large and brightly coloured, render them very attractive. 

 Tecoma radicans, Eccremocarpus scaber, &c. are common garden climbers ; 

 Catalpa syrinycefolia is a handsome tree with showy blossoms, hardy in 

 this country. 



PEDALIACE^ are chiefly distinguished from Bignoniaceae by their 

 generally wingless seeds, and by their different habit. Sesamum may be re- 

 garded as intermediate between the Orders just named, while Martynia 

 establishes a transition to Gesneraceae, of which Order Pedaliaceae, or, as 

 they are sometimes called, Sesameae, are considered by some to form a 

 tribe. They are chiefly tropical ; the most important member of the group 

 is Sesamum orientate, which is an object of cultivation in the East for its 

 seeds, from which oil resembling Olive-oil is obtained. Some of the 

 species are in cultivation, among them one or two species of Martynia 

 remarkable for the two long horns to the fruit. 



CRESCENTIACE^ are also very near to the Gesneraceae, and chiefly dis- 

 tinguished by the arborescent habit and large amygdaloid seeds; the calyx 

 also is free, and its limb splits irregularly. From Pedaliaceae the fruits and 

 the amygdaloid seeds divide them. The indehiscent fruit and wingless 

 seeds separate them from Bignoniaceae and Acanthaceae, and this, together 

 with the want of perisperm, from Scrophulariaceae, Solanaceae, andLenti- 

 bulariaceae. This Order is tropical, most developed in the Mauritius and 

 Madagascar. Crescentia C^fjete, the Calabash-tree, has a fruit like a gourd, 

 with a hard shell applicable to many useful purposes, holding liquids, 

 forming floats for ratts, &c. The subacid pulp is eaten. Parmentiera 

 ccrifera (Panama) has a long slender fruit, and is called, from the shape 

 of this, the Candle-tree ; it is a favourite food of cattle. 



