434 



XCVIII. OLINIE^E. 



Lytlirariea are near Onagrarieai, Melastomacece and Saxifragca (see these families). They also 

 approach Rhixophorea in their persistent valvate calyx, stamens more numerous than the petals, 

 many - celled ovary, and straight exalbuminous embryo ; but Rhizophoreee have an inferior or 

 semi-inferior ovary, the cells of which only contain two pendulous ovules [often more, see this 

 order, p. 410]. 



Lythrariere are chiefly tropical American ; the}' are much more rare in the temperate regions of both 

 hemispheres. 



The species of this family possess different properties ; some (Lythrum Salicaria) contain tannin, 

 which renders them astringent; others (Hcimia, Cuphea) secrete resinous and acrid principles, which caused 

 them to bo used as purgatives, emetics or diuretics. Lawsonia alba (Henna), an Egyptian shrub, is re- 

 nowned throughout the East for the perfume of its flowers, and for the orange-red colouring matter 

 contained in its leaves, with which the women dye their nails and hair ; its root (Alkanna) is astringent 

 and yields a red dye. [The Ammannia vesicatoria, an Indian weed, is a strong vesicant. Pemphis acidttla 

 is used as a pot-herb in tropical Asia. The flowers of Woodfordia tomentosa, the Dhak of India, are much 

 used as a red dye. The Lagerstroemias produce excellent timber, called Jarul in India. The wood of 

 Snnneratiti acida is considered the best substitute for coal on the Indus steamers. En.] 



XCVIII. OLIN1EJZ, Arnott. 



Olinia. Vlo.vcr (uiug.). 



Olinia. Diagram. 



Olinia. Fruit (mug.). 



(IlillKI. 



Ovnry cut 

 vertically (mag.). 



Olinia. 



Pendent anatropons 

 ovule (mag.). 



SHRUBS of South Africa, Brazil, 1 and Australia. 2 LEAVES opposite, coriaceous, 

 penninerved, entire, not dotted, exstipulate. FLOWERS axillary or terminal, in 

 small cymes, or solitary, bibracteolate at the base. CALYX 5-4-toothed, or 4-fid or 

 5-partite. PETALS 5-4, inserted on the calyx, alternate with its segments, oblong or 

 obovate, obtuse, sometimes (Olinia) with 5-4 scales alternate with the petals, 

 scales pubescent on the back and conuivent. STAMENS 5-4-oo , inserted with the 

 petals ; filaments flexuous in bud ; anthers 2-celled, globose-didymous or oblong, 

 dehiscence longitudinal. OVARY inferior, 2-4-5-celled, cells 2-3-oo -ovuled ; style 



subulate or flexuous ; stigma simple ; ovules pendulous, anatropous. FRUIT a berry 



(Myrrkinium, Fenzlia) or drupe (Olinia) crowned by the calyx-limb or by its scar ; 



kernel woody, 3-4-celled. SEEDS oval. EMBRYO exalbuminous, rolled in a spiral, 



or arched ; cotyledons indistinct. 



1 The Brazilian plant here alluded to, Myrrhinhtm, 2 The Australian Fcn:lia is also Myrtaceous, and 



is unquestionably Myrtaceous, and closely allied to uoar Myrtus itself. ED. 

 Pimenta. ED. 



