INCOMPLETE. 333 



ILLUSTRATIVE GENERA: Cinnamomum, Burm. ; Cfomphora, Nees; Nec- 

 tandra, Rottl. ; Sassafras, Nees ; Tetranthera, Jacq. ; Laurus, Tournef. ; 

 Cassytha, L. 



Affinities, &c. The peculiar operculate dehiscence of the anthers distin- 

 guishes this Order from most of the allied Monochlamydeous groups: from 

 Atherospermaceae, which share this character, Lauraceas are distinguished 

 by their solitary carpel and pendulous ovules. The Lauracete have also 

 affinities with Myristicacese in the qualities of their products ; hut the 

 structure differs widely. Cassyfha is a remarkable form, having a twining 

 parasitic leafless stem like Cuscuta, bearing true Lauraceous flowers. 

 The inner perianth is developed after the manner of a corolla simultane- 

 ously, the outer successively like a calyx (Payer). In some Laurels, e. g. 

 Oreodaplme, the outer anthers are introrse, the inner ones extrorse. The 

 fruit of some genera is curious, as that of Dehaasia, which is borne upon 

 a thickened peduncle, somewhat like that of Anacardium. The pollen is 

 generally spherical, without pores or bands. The solitary carpel is some- 

 times divided into several compartments by false partitions. The sub- 

 divisions of the Order depend on the habit, position of fruit, number 

 of parts to the flower, unisexuality or polygamism, &c. 



Distribution. A large Order, principally found in cool situations in the 

 tropics ; one (Lavrvs nobilis) is a native of Europe, and a few of North 

 America. Traces of them in a fossil condition are first met with in 

 Eocene formations. 



Qualities and Uses. The most marked properties of these plants depend 

 on the presence of aromatic oils and Camphor ; but the bark of some has 

 valuable tonic and febrifuge qualities, the timber of many kinds is valu- 

 able, and the Order affords a number of edible fruits. True Cinnamon is 

 the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; Cassia-bark is derived from C. 

 Cassia and other species ; many other trees of the Order are noted for the 

 possession of an aromatic bark of similar character, and furnish false Cin 

 namons in South America and other countries. Camphor is produced in 

 the wood, branches, and leaves of Camphora officinarum. and is obtained 

 by dry distillation ; some species of Cinnamomum contain a considerable 

 quantity of this substance. The aromatic fruits of some of the Lauraceae 

 furnish false Nutmegs, the Clove-nutmegs of Madagascar being the seeds 

 of AcjathophyUum aromaticum, the Brazilian Nutmegs those of Crypto- 

 carya moschata, c. The bark of Nectandra Rodi&i, the Bibiri of Guiana 

 (from which Warburg's Fever-drops are made), is said to be a valu- 

 able febrifuge ; the bark of the root of Sassafras officinale is highly 

 esteemed in North America for its diaphoretic powers; Benzoin odo- 

 riferum has similar properties, and the oil of its aromatic berries is 

 stimulant. The fruit of Persea aratissima is the highly praised West- 

 Indian Avocado Pear ; it contains much fixed oil. The' timber of Nec- 

 tandra Rod\(Bi is the Green-heart wood of Guiana, remarkable for its 

 hardness and solidity ; Persea indica furnishes a kind of coarse mahogany 

 in the Canaries. Camphor-wood is sometimes used by cabinet-makers on 

 account of its odour. Lauras nobilis, the Bay-tree or classic or true Laurel, 

 is a native of the South of Europe, and is hardy in the south of England ; 

 its aromatic leaves are used for flavouring confectionary. These must 

 not be confounded with those of the Cherry -laurel, a Prunus, and not a 



