658 CLXXXTX. HERNANDIE^. 



present an affinity with Santalacea, Elceaanea-, and Proteacea 1 . Santalacea are easily dis- 

 tinguished by the valvate perianth, the inferior ovary, the ovules reduced to a nucleus, pendulous from 

 a free central placenta, and the abundant albumen ; Elteaanea by the erect basilar ovule, the often 

 spinescent branches, and the peltate scales : Proteacea differ from Thymeleee in the valvate aestivation and- 

 inferior radicle. T/n/melees are scarcely distinguishable from Rosaceee, except in habit, their often opposite 

 and exstipulate leaves, the tenacious liber, and acrid vesicant juice. As in Rosace<e, the flower is coloured, 

 and if the petals are absent they are represented by scales accompanying the calyx, the stamens are peri- 

 gynous, the ovarv is free, the ovule pendulous and anatropous, the embryo straight, exalbuminous, &c. 

 In a word, a flower of Dai* or Daphne exactly resembles that of some Amygdalta*. 



Thymdeee mostly inhabit the warm extra-tropical regions of the southern hemisphere, especially 

 Africa and Australia ; they are less abundant in the northern temperate hemisphere and between the 

 tropics; they are rarer in America. Daphne belongs to the Old World, Pitnelen is spread over the Australian 

 continent r and New Zealand], Gnidia inhabits South Africa. Lagettn and many other genera are tropical, 

 Dirca is North American, Drapettt temperate South American. Several genera, and especially the sub- 

 order A'/uilariere, inhabit tropical Asia. 



This family, a very natural one in its botanical characters, is also so in respect of the properties of its 

 species. The bark and fruit of many contain, besides a bitter extractive, a peculiar green very acrid and 

 active sebaceous matter. The roots of several furnish a yellow dye (Pa.wrina finctoria); others have 

 tenacious cortical fibres, which are variously used in hot countries. 



The extremely acrid seeds of the Spurge-flax (Daphne ffnufiutn ), a native of South Europe, were formerly 

 used as a purgative, but are dangerously powerful in their action : a decoction of the leaves was also used, 

 the effect of which is less violent. The bark has a slightly nauseous smell and a corrosive taste; it acts 

 as a caustic when applied to the skin, either entire, powdered, or as an ointment. The Me/ereon (D. 

 Mvzereum), the bark of which is extensively used as a medicine in Germany, together with D. aljrina and 

 Cncorum, all indigenous in France, have the same virulent properties as the Spurge-flax. The leaves and 

 bark of D. iMureola, a native of woods throughout France, are often used when fresh as an issue by the 

 peasants. Dirca palnxtris in North America, Lagetta lintearia in South America, Daphne cannabina in 

 India, are similarly used. The leaves of Daphne Tarton-raira in Sardinia, those of Gnidia at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, and the berries of Drimytptrtmm in Java, am used in the popular pharmacy as purgatives 

 and emetics. 



In India a paper is made from the liber of Daphne canKobina, and cord is manufactured from that of 

 Lagetta fnnifera and lintearia in South America [the latter of which produces the beautiful substance 

 called Lace-bark]. 



CLXXXIX. HERNANDIE^E. 1 



Blume. HERNANDIACE^E, Dumortier.) 



[TREES. LEAVES scattered, coriaceous, petioled, ovate or peltate, quite entire, 

 exstipnlate. FLOWERS monoecious, in peduncled axillary and terminal cymes, ternate 

 in a4-leaved involucre ; central flower $ , 4-merous, sessile in an urceolate persistent 

 involucel ; lateral $ , not involueellate, pedicelled, usually 3-uierous. CALYX herba- 

 ceous; tube short, narrow, jointed in the ? , upper part deciduous ; limb of $ 6-, of $ 

 8-10-partite; lobes 2-seriate, valvate in aestivation, inner rather narrower. FLOWERS. 

 $ : STAMENS 3 (very rarely 4), inserted on the calyx-throat, opposite its outer lobes, 

 connivent ; filaments short, usually l-2-glandular at the base ; anthers didymous, large, 

 erect, adnate to the lai'ge connective, 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally by a deciduous 

 valve. FLOWERS ? : STAMINODES glandular, opposite the outer calyx-lobes. OVARY 



1 This Order is omitted in thp original. Kn. 



