INCOMPLETE. 337 



Simsia and some other genera the anthers are syngenesious. The ar- 

 rangement of the stigmas and stamens to favour cross fertilization is often 

 very singular. The pollen-brains are usually triangular, sometimes elliptic. 

 The development of the lobes of the perianth is successive, not simultane- 

 ous, hence the perianth may be considered as calycine. The remarkable 

 habit of these plants is a striking characteristic ; and, besides the rigid 

 foliage, we have the valvate perianth with the stamens opposite the lobes, 

 and the radicle pointing to the base of the ovary, to distinguish this Order 

 from the Thymelaceae and nearest Monochlamydeous Orders. The struc- 

 ture of the stomata of the coriaceous leaves is very curious, and presents 

 many modifications. 



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

 the Cape and in Australia. Fossil Proteads have been found in Eocene 

 beds, and these Dicotyledons are among the first of which traces remain 

 to us. 



Qualities and Uses. The wood is perhaps the most valuable product 

 of these plants, being^ largely used for firewood where they abound ; some- 

 times it is used for joinery when hard wood is required. The striking 

 character of their evergreen foliage, and the brilliant colours of the heads 

 of flowers, render them great favourites in cultivation, and the genera 

 above cited will be found in most large collections of greenhouse shrubs. 

 Macadamia ternifolia furnishes an edible seed. 



EUPHOBBIACEJE. THE SPUEGE OEDEE. 

 Coh. Euphorbiales, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Herbs, shrubs, or trees, mostly with a milky acrid 

 juice, and leaves usually alternate and stipulate ; monoecious or 

 dioecious flowers ; perianth various or none ; the fruit of 1-3 or 

 several 1-2-seeded carpels, united round a central column, se- 

 parating when ripe ; embryo straight in perisperm. 



Character. 



TTialamus flat or concave, or prolonged. Floivers diclinous, axillary 

 or terminal, sometimes enclosed in a cup-shaped involucre. 

 Calyx inferior, with internal glandular or scaly appendages, 

 sometimes wanting. Corolla, of petals or scales as many as the 

 sepals, or wanting. Stamens definite or indefinite, distinct or 

 monadelphous ; anthers 2-eelled, sometimes opening by pores. 

 Ovary free, sessile or stalked, 1-, 2-, 3-, or many-celled ; styles 

 as many as the cells, distinct or combined, or wanting ; stigmas 

 combined or separate and bifid ; ovules 1 or 2, suspended from 

 the inner angle of each cell beneath a prominent "obturator " or 

 placental outgrowth. Fruit dry, the carpels splitting and 

 separating elastically from the axis, or succulent and indehi- 



z 



