410 LXXXVI. HAMAMELIDE^E. 



and dilated at the base in the petaloid flowers, elongated and sub-clavate in the 

 apetalous; anthers introrse, 2-celled, sometimes ovoid-quadrangular, cells opposite, 

 adnate to a connective which is usually prolonged into a point, divided by a longi- 

 tudinal median septum, and opening by valves ; sometimes (Fothergilld) horse-shoe 

 shaped, opening by a semicircular slit. OVARY semi-inferior, 2-celled; styles 2, 

 distinct ; stigmas simple ; ovules solitary, or very rarely many, of which only the 

 lower is fertile (Bucklandia), suspended to the top of the septum, anatropous or semi- 

 anatropous. CAPSULE semi- or quite superior, 2-valved, valves 2-fid at the top. 

 SEEDS pendulous. EMBRYO straight, occupying the axis of a fleshy or cartilaginous 

 albumen, and nearly equalling it in length ; cotyledons foliaceous, flat or curled at 

 the edges ; radicle cylindric, superior. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 "Ilamamelis. *Fothergilla. *Rhodoleia. 



[This and the following order have been recently studied carefully for the 

 * Genera Plantarum,' and combined ; with the following arrangement of the 

 genera, to which a few new discoveries are added. 



A. Ovarian cells 1-ovulcd. 



PETALS 0. Parrotia, Davidia, Fothergilla, Disantltus, Distylium, Sycopsis. 

 PKTALOID (petals sometimes reduced to scales). Corylopsis, Dicoryphe, Maingaya, 

 Ilamamdis, Trichocladus, Loropetalum, Tetrathyrium, Eustigma. 



B. Ovarian colls 2-x -ovuled. 

 Rhodoleia, Ostrearia, Bucklandia, Altingia, Liquidamlar, Disanthtu. ED.] 



Hamamclidea approach Cornea in insertion, number and aestivation of the petals, the pendu- 

 lous anntropous ovules, albuminous axile embryo, woody stem and capitulate inflorescence. Cornets are 

 separated by their complete epigynism, the alternation of the stamens, simple style, fleshy fruit, [usually] 

 opposite and exstipulate leaves. The same relations exist between Araliatxec and Hamamelidcte. There is 

 also a resemblance between them and Sai-ifragetp, tribe Cunoniacefe, both being perigynous, diplostemonous, 

 digynous, and having anatropous ovules, capsular fruit, albuminous axile embryo, and woody stem ; 

 Cunoniaceoi differ principally in their interpeticlar stipules, opposite leaves, and imbricate aestivation oJ 

 the petals. The same applies to Excalloniee, excepting that these have alternate and exstipulate leaves. 

 Finally, an affinity exists between the diclinous apetalous Humamdidecc and Platanete, consisting in 

 polyandry, inferior ovary, pendulous ovules, dry fruit, albuminous and axile embryo, woody stem, 

 alternate stipulate leaves. For the diagnosis, Platanece differ in the flowers having no perianth, and 

 being arranged in catkins, and their fruit being a nucule. The affinity is still more close with Liquid- 

 ambar, which Mr. Benthatn unites to Hamamclidea. They also approach Grubbiacece in the general 

 structure of their flowers and the valvular anthers. (See also Garryacece.) This family, which contains 

 but few species, is dispersed over both hemispheres ; it inhabits South America, Japan, China, India, 

 Persia, Madagascar, and the Cape of Good Hope. With regard to the useful species, the seed of the 

 Virginian Hamamelis is oily, the leaves and bark are medicinal. The wood of Parrotia is extremely 

 hard, and in Persia is called Iron-wood. 



