MAGNOLIACEJE. 167 



we can in practice divide the order into five series, wliich are as 

 follows — 



1. Magnolie^. — The floral axis is cjdindro-conical, often much 

 elongated. The spiral arrangement of its appendages is very mani- 

 fest. The pieces of the perianth are imbricated. Tlie flowers are 

 hermaphrodite. There are two horizontal or descending ovules with 

 the micropyle upwards and outwards. The leaves often present 

 stipuliform dilatations. 



2. ScHiZANnRE^. — The floral axis, at first short, remains so, or 

 becomes elongated, as in Magnoliece. The spiral arrangement in 

 the latter case becomes evident. In each carpel are two descending 

 ovules, with the micropyle downwards and outwards. But the fruit 

 is always fleshy, and the flowers are unisexual. The stem is usually 

 climbing ; the leaves are exstipulate. 



3. Illicie^. — The floral axis is short, and the spiral insertion which 

 really exists is but slightly apparent. The ovules are solitary and 

 ascending, with the micropyle outwards {T^tdUicece), or in larger 

 numbers in two vertical rows {Brimydem). In the latter case the 

 calyx is valvate. There are no stipules. 



4. EuPTELE.E. — The floral receptacle is short, and more or less 

 concave. The perianth is wanting. The flowers are polygamous, 

 and the leaves exstipulate. 



5. Canelle^. — The floral appendages are verticillate. The corolla 

 is polypetalous, or gamopetalous. The stamens are monadel- 

 phous, with extrorse anthers. The ovary is unilocular, with seve- 

 ral parietal placentas. The fruit is fleshy. The leaves are exsti- 

 pulate. 



All the Magnoliacece as yet known are woody plants, but their 

 dimensions are most variable. Thus in the genus 3fayiiolia alone, 

 we meet with gigantic trees, and with little shrubs not half a yard 

 high. The Canellece and IlUciccs are usually small trees or shrubs. 

 A single species of the genus Brimys may become a very tall shrub, 

 or a stunted undershrub a few inches high, according to the country 

 and soil where its numerous varieties grow. Tlie SckizandrecB are, 

 on the contrary, creeping or climbing lianas. The stems of certain 

 Maynoliaceoi have long been pointed out as presenting remarkable 

 peculiarities of structure in their wood. That of Brimys, and of Tas- 

 mannia, which was formerly considered as a distinct genus, was 



